Thesaurus

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

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See words that rhyme with foil Dictionary: Definition of foil Medical Dictionary: Definition of foil Spanish Central: Translation of foil Nglish: Translation of foil for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of foil for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about foil

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Thesaurus

foil

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