C1 verb Formal

obputacy

/ɒbˈpjuːtəsi/

To stubbornly reject or block a line of reasoning, proposal, or path of action without providing a logical counter-argument. It describes the act of willfully obstructing progress or discourse through sheer intellectual or procedural resistance.

Examples

3 of 5
1

I tried to explain the benefits of the new schedule, but she would only obputacy my every suggestion.

I tried to explain the benefits of the new schedule, but she would only reject my every suggestion.

2

The committee chose to obputacy the motion, effectively stalling the legislative process for months.

The committee chose to obstruct the motion, effectively stalling the legislative process for months.

3

Don't just obputacy me; if you think my idea is bad, tell me why instead of just saying no.

Don't just shut me down; if you think my idea is bad, tell me why instead of just saying no.

Word Family

Noun
obputacence
Verb
obputacy
Adverb
obputaciously
Adjective
obputacious
Related
obputacity
💡

Memory Tip

Think of the prefix 'Ob-' (against) and 'Put'. You are 'putting' a wall 'against' the conversation to stop it.

Quick Quiz

The senator continued to ____ the bill, refusing to even read the updated clauses.

Correct!

The correct answer is: obputacy

Examples

1

I tried to explain the benefits of the new schedule, but she would only obputacy my every suggestion.

everyday

I tried to explain the benefits of the new schedule, but she would only reject my every suggestion.

2

The committee chose to obputacy the motion, effectively stalling the legislative process for months.

formal

The committee chose to obstruct the motion, effectively stalling the legislative process for months.

3

Don't just obputacy me; if you think my idea is bad, tell me why instead of just saying no.

informal

Don't just shut me down; if you think my idea is bad, tell me why instead of just saying no.

4

Scholars in the field tend to obputacy radical theories that challenge the established paradigm.

academic

Scholars in the field tend to dismiss radical theories that challenge the established paradigm.

5

The board had a reputation to obputacy any high-risk investments, regardless of the potential long-term returns.

business

The board had a reputation to veto any high-risk investments, regardless of the potential long-term returns.

Word Family

Noun
obputacence
Verb
obputacy
Adverb
obputaciously
Adjective
obputacious
Related
obputacity

Common Collocations

obputacy a motion to block a formal proposal
obputacy progress to hinder advancement
obputacy an argument to stubbornly reject a line of reasoning
obputacy the truth to refuse to acknowledge the facts
obputacy a request to dismiss a formal demand

Common Phrases

obputacy at every turn

to resist every single step of a process

the power to obputacy

the authority to block or veto something

obputacy out of spite

to reject something purely to be annoying

Often Confused With

obputacy vs obstinacy

Obstinacy is a noun referring to the quality of being stubborn, whereas obputacy is the verb action of resisting.

obputacy vs obturate

Obturate means to physically block or seal an opening, while obputacy refers to blocking ideas or progress.

📝

Usage Notes

Obputacy is a highly formal and rare term, typically found in high-level academic testing or specialized rhetorical contexts. It specifically implies a 'willful' or 'blind' blocking rather than a reasoned disagreement.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

The most common mistake is treating it as a noun because of the '-acy' suffix (like 'privacy'). In this specific test-usage, it functions as a verb.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the prefix 'Ob-' (against) and 'Put'. You are 'putting' a wall 'against' the conversation to stop it.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin 'ob-' (against) and 'putare' (to prune or settle an account), suggesting a cutting off of communication.

Grammar Patterns

transitive verb third-person singular: obputacies past tense: obputacied
🌍

Cultural Context

Used primarily in competitive debate and formal logic to describe tactical obstructionism.

Quick Quiz

The senator continued to ____ the bill, refusing to even read the updated clauses.

Correct!

The correct answer is: obputacy

Related Words

bishop

B2

To admit a person into the Christian church through the rite of confirmation performed by a bishop. It can also refer to the formal act of ordaining or appointing someone to the office of bishop.

bit

B2

In this specific context, it describes something that is minor, secondary, or small in scale, often referring to roles or components within a larger system. It is frequently used attributively to indicate that a part or person has limited importance or duration.

bitterly

B2

An adverb used to describe actions or feelings done with intense resentment, deep disappointment, or extreme harshness. It is also frequently used to emphasize that weather conditions are painfully cold.

bivalve

B2

A bivalve is an aquatic mollusk with a body enclosed within a hinged shell that consists of two distinct parts. This group includes well-known creatures like clams, oysters, mussels, and scallops, which are often harvested for food or studied for their environmental impact.

bizarrely

B2

In a very strange or unusual manner that is often difficult to explain or expect. It is used to describe actions, appearances, or situations that deviate significantly from what is considered normal.

blackberry

B2

To go out and gather wild blackberries from bushes, typically during late summer or early autumn. It describes the specific recreational or foraging activity of picking these berries in nature.

blackcurrant

B2

Describing something that has the flavor, scent, or dark purple color of the blackcurrant berry. It is frequently used to characterize food products, beverages, and scents derived from the Ribes nigrum plant.

blackhead

B2

A small, dark-colored bump on the skin caused by a clogged hair follicle where oil and skin cells have oxidized upon contact with air. They are a mild type of acne that commonly appears on the face, particularly on the nose and chin.

blackmail

B2

To demand money, favors, or specific actions from someone by threatening to reveal embarrassing or damaging information about them. It involves using a person's secrets or weaknesses as a way to coerce them into compliance.

blackness

B2

The state, quality, or condition of being black or completely dark. In academic and sociological contexts, it often refers to the historical, cultural, and social identity associated with people of African descent.

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Start learning languages for free

Start Learning Free