Definition

To engage in actions that delay or obstruct legislative progress, often by making long speeches or using other tactics.

Example

The senator decided to filibuster the bill to prevent it from being voted on.

Tense Forms

Conversation

Did you hear about the senator who decided to filibuster the bill last night?

Yeah, I saw that! It was all over the news this morning.

I wonder what the main reason was for that filibuster.

Probably to delay the vote and gain more time for discussion.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Definition

A tactic used in politics where someone speaks for a long time to delay or prevent a decision from being made.

Example

The senator used a filibuster to block the vote on the new law.

Conversation

Did you hear about the filibuster happening in Congress right now?

Yeah, I read about it; it's causing quite a delay in the voting process.

It's interesting how they use a filibuster to stretch out discussions.

Definition

To delay or obstruct legislation by making long speeches or using other tactics in a legislative assembly.

Example

The senator decided to filibuster the bill to prevent it from being voted on.

Tense Forms

Conversation

Did you hear how they plan to filibuster the new bill?

Yeah, it's crazy how they can just talk for hours to delay it.

I wonder if it's really effective to filibuster like that.

Root Explanation

Filibuster comes from the Spanish word 'filibustero', which originally referred to a pirate or freebooter. The term is derived from the Dutch 'vrijbuiter', meaning 'freebooter' or 'pirate'. The word evolved in the context of legislative procedure to describe a tactic used to delay or obstruct legislative action, akin to the way pirates would disrupt trade.

Memory Tip

Imagine a pirate ('filibustero') causing delays and disruptions on the high seas, just like a filibuster causes delays in legislative processes.

Visually Confused Words