thwart

¹thwart

transitive verb \ˈthwȯrt\

Definition of THWART

1

a : to run counter to so as to effectively oppose or baffle : contravene

b : to oppose successfully : defeat the hopes or aspirations of

2

: to pass through or across

— thwart·er noun

Examples of THWART

1. She did all she could to thwart his plans.
2. The army thwarted the attempt at a coup.

Origin of THWART

Middle English thwerten, from thwert, adverb

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to THWART

Synonyms

baffle, balk, beat, checkmate, discomfit, foil, frustrate

Antonyms

advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, foster, further, nurture, promote

Related Words

bar, block, clog, encumber, fetter, hamper, handicap, hinder, hobble, hold back, impede, inhibit, interfere (with), manacle, obstruct, shackle, tie up, trammel; arrest, check, halt, set back, short-circuit, stall, stop; avert, forestall, obviate, preclude, prevent; negate, neutralize, nullify; counteract, offset; conquer, defeat, overcome

Near Antonyms

abet, aid, assist; ease, facilitate, smooth

See Synonym Discussion at frustrate

Rhymes with THWART

bort, court, fort, forte, mort, ort, port, Porte, quart, short, skort, snort, sort, sport, swart, tort, torte, wart, wort

²thwart

adverb \ˈthwȯrt, nautical often ˈthȯrt\

Definition of THWART

: athwart

Origin of THWART

Middle English thwert, from Old Norse thvert, from neuter of thverr transverse, oblique; akin to Old High German dwerah transverse, oblique

First Known Use: 14th century

³thwart

adjective

Definition of THWART

: situated or placed across something else : transverse

— thwart·ly adverb

First Known Use of THWART

14th century

⁴thwart

noun

Definition of THWART

: a seat extending athwart a boat

Origin of THWART

alteration of obsolete thought, thoft, from Middle English thoft, from Old English thofte; akin to Old High German dofta rower's seat

First Known Use: circa 1736