Also means
to dam up
Usage Note
Estancar literally means to block the flow of water (forming an estanque, a pond), and figuratively to bring a process to a standstill — negotiations, economies, or careers can all estancarse. The reflexive estancarse is very common for describing situations that stop progressing.
Examples
"Las negociaciones se han estancado por semanas."
Natural Translation
The negotiations have stagnated for weeks.

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