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thwart

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verb \ˈthwȯrt\

Definition of thwart

  1. transitive verb

  2. 1a :  to oppose successfully :  defeat the hopes or aspirations ofb :  to run counter to so as to effectively oppose or baffle :  contravene

  3. 2 :  to pass through or across

thwarter

noun

See thwart defined for English-language learners

See thwart defined for kids

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Examples of thwart in a Sentence

  1. She did all she could to thwart his plans.

  2. The army thwarted the attempt at a coup.

Did You Know?

Thwart and its synonyms "foil" and "frustrate" all suggest checking or defeating another's plan or preventing the achievement of a goal. "Foil" implies checking or defeating so as to discourage future efforts ("foiled by her parents, he stopped trying to see her"), while "frustrate" suggests making all efforts, however vigorous or persistent, futile or ineffectual ("frustrated attempts at government reform"). "Thwart" usually indicates frustration caused by opposition ("the army thwarted an attempted coup").

Origin and Etymology of thwart

Middle English thwerten, from thwert, adverb

thwart Synonyms

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

Synonym Discussion of thwart

frustrate, thwart, foil, baffle, balk mean to check or defeat another's plan or block achievement of a goal. frustrate implies making vain or ineffectual all efforts however vigorous or persistent. frustrated attempts at government reform thwart suggests frustration or checking by crossing or opposing. the army thwarted his attempt at a coup foil implies checking or defeating so as to discourage further effort. foiled by her parents, he stopped trying to see her baffle implies frustration by confusing or puzzling. baffled by the maze of rules and regulations balk suggests the interposing of obstacles or hindrances. officials felt that legal restrictions had balked their efforts to control crime
2

thwart

play
adverb \ˈthwȯrt, naut often ˈthȯrt\

Definition of thwart

  1. :  athwart

Origin and Etymology of thwart

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

3

thwart

adjective

Definition of thwart

  1. :  situated or placed across something else :  transverse

thwartly

adverb

First Known Use of thwart

14th century

4

thwart

noun

Definition of thwart

  1. :  a seat extending athwart a boat

Origin and Etymology of thwart

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

THWART Defined for English Language Learners

thwart

play
verb

Definition of thwart for English Language Learners

  • : to prevent (someone) from doing something or to stop (something) from happening

THWART Defined for Kids

thwart

play
verb \ˈthwȯrt\

Definition of thwart for Students

thwarted

;

thwarting

  1. :  to stop from happening or succeeding Police thwarted the crime.

Learn More about thwart

  1. See words that rhyme with thwart Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for thwart Spanish Central: Translation of thwart Nglish: Translation of thwart for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of thwart for Arabic speakers

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Examples: thwart in a Sentence
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