Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense filibusters, present participle filibustering, past tense, past participle filibustered
1. countable noun
A filibuster is a long slow speech made to use up time so that a vote cannot be taken and a law cannot be passed.
[mainly US]
The senator has threatened a filibuster to block the bill.
Synonyms: obstruction, delay, postponement, hindrance More Synonyms of filibuster
2. verb
If a politician filibusters, he or she makes a long slow speech in order to use up time so that a vote cannotbe taken and a law cannot be passed.
[mainly US]
They simply threatened to filibuster until the Senate adjourns. [VERB]
A group of senators plans to filibuster a measure that would permit drilling. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: obstruct, prevent, delay, put off More Synonyms of filibuster
More Synonyms of filibuster
filibuster in British English
(ˈfɪlɪˌbʌstə)
noun
1.
the process or an instance of obstructing legislation by means of long speeches and other delaying tactics
2. Also called: filibusterer
a legislator who engages in such obstruction
3.
a buccaneer, freebooter, or irregular military adventurer, esp a revolutionary in a foreign country
verb
4.
to obstruct (legislation) with delaying tactics
5. (intransitive)
to engage in unlawful and private military action
Derived forms
filibusterer (ˈfiliˌbusterer)
noun
filibusterism (ˈfiliˌbusterism)
noun
Word origin
C16: from Spanish filibustero, from French flibustier probably from Dutch vrijbuiter pirate, literally: one plundering freely; see freebooter
filibuster in American English
(ˈfɪləˌbʌstər)
noun
1. U.S. Politics
a.
the use of irregular or obstructive tactics by a member of a legislative assembly to prevent the adoption of a measure generally favored or to force a decision against the will of the majority
b.
an exceptionally long speech, as one lasting for a day or days, or a series of such speeches to accomplish this purpose
c.
a member of a legislature who makes such a speech
2.
an irregular military adventurer, esp. one who engages in an unauthorized military expedition into a foreign country to foment or support a revolution
intransitive verb
3. U.S. Politics
to impede legislation by irregular or obstructive tactics, esp. by making long speeches
4.
to act as an irregular military adventurer, esp. for revolutionary purposes
transitive verb
5. U.S. Politics
to impede (legislation) by irregular or obstructive tactics, esp. by making long speeches
Derived forms
filibusterer
noun
filibusterism
noun
filibusterous
adjective
Word origin
[1580–90; ‹ Sp filibustero ‹ MF flibustier, var. of fribustier; see freebooter]
Synonyms of 'filibuster'
obstruction, delay, postponement, hindrance
freebooter, pirate, adventurer, buccaneer
obstruct, prevent, delay, put off
More Synonyms of filibuster
1 (noun)
Definition
the process of obstructing legislation by means of long speeches so that time runs out and a vote cannot be taken
The Senator used a filibuster to stop the bill.
Synonyms
obstruction
drivers parking near his house and causing an obstruction
delay
Air restrictions might mean delays for Easter holidaymakers.
postponement
The postponement was due to a dispute over where the talks should be held.
hindrance
Higher rates have been a hindrance to economic recovery.
procrastination
He hates delay and procrastination.
2 (noun)
Synonyms
freebooter
pirate
In the nineteenth century, pirates roamed the seas.
adventurer
A round-the-world adventurer was killed when her plane crashed.
buccaneer
the villainous buccaneer with the peg-leg and the parrot
corsair
Treasure galleons were often attacked by corsairs and pirates.
soldier of fortune
sea robber
sea rover
(verb)
Definition
to obstruct (legislation) with such delaying tactics
They threatened to filibuster until Senate adjourns.
Synonyms
obstruct
Drivers who park illegally obstruct the flow of traffic.
prevent
We took steps to prevent it happening.
These methods prevent pregnancy.
delay
The passengers were delayed by bad weather.
put off
hinder
Landslides are continuing to hinder the arrival of relief supplies.
play for time
procrastinate
We often procrastinate when faced with something we do not want to do.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of adventurer
Definition
a person who seeks adventure
A round-the-world adventurer was killed when her plane crashed.
Synonyms
venturer,
hero,
traveller,
heroine,
wanderer,
voyager,
daredevil,
soldier of fortune,
swashbuckler,
knight-errant
in the sense of buccaneer
Definition
a pirate, esp. in the Caribbean in the 17th and 18th centuries
the villainous buccaneer with the peg-leg and the parrot
Synonyms
pirate,
privateer,
corsair,
freebooter,
sea-rover
in the sense of corsair
Definition
a pirate
Treasure galleons were often attacked by corsairs and pirates.