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Filibuster: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Filibuster noun. A tactic of talking at great length in a debate so that a vote cannot take place.
How to say it
FIL-ih-bus-tuh/ˈfɪlɪbʌstə/
4 syllables, stressed on the first (FIL). Forms: filibusters, filibustered.
Meanings
- A tactic of talking at great length in a debate so that a vote cannot take place.
- As a verb, to delay a decision in this way.
Filibuster in a sentence
The senator's filibuster ran past midnight, and at one point he read aloud from a cookbook.
Opponents threatened to filibuster the bill until the session ran out of time.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- stalling
- obstruction
- talking out
Where filibuster comes from
From Dutch vrijbuiter, a freebooter or pirate, via Spanish filibustero; the delaying sense arose in the United States.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
Opponents threatened to _____ the bill until the session ran out of time.
- irredentism
- filibuster
- zeitgeist
Show the answer
filibuster: Opponents threatened to filibuster the bill until the session ran out of time.