as in frustrated
to prevent from achieving a goal
a coalition of grassroots organizations thwarted the company's efforts to get approval for a new power plant
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Recent Examples of thwarted
In finishing with 83 wins in each of the previous two years, the Cubs were thwarted by a bullpen that either wore down near the end of the season or failed in too many clutch moments.
—
Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Several church members thwarted what would have likely been a mass shooting, including one who, driving a pickup truck, saw the suspect in the parking lot and hit him.
—Detroit Free Press, Freep.com, 28 Sep. 2025
In less than 48 hours since Friday night, authorities counted 41 crossing attempts, some of them thwarted, along the Pas-de-Calais coastline that police patrol day and night, the prefecture said in a statement.
—CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2025
Johnson thwarted Messi again just before halftime with a heads-up save from close range.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
Henry was having a decent game against the Lions for the most part, but much like in the loss against the Buffalo Bills, the Ravens’ momentum was thwarted down four points in the fourth quarter.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2025
In overtime, Dallas goalie Jake Oettinger thwarted a Vinnie Hinostroza breakaway with a pad save, and Tyler Seguin scored for the Stars just seconds later, as Minnesota fell to 1-1 in the preseason.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 23 Sep. 2025
Day one of the four-day festival was graced with clear weather, unlike in 2024, when Slayer’s headlining set was thwarted by remnants of Hurricane Helene that left the festival grounds at the Kentucky Exposition Center drenched with rain.
—Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal, 22 Sep. 2025
Against Atlanta, the Panthers forced returners to earn yardage, and for the most part, those attempts were thwarted for minimal gains.
—Charlotte Observer, 21 Sep. 2025
Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Several church members thwarted what would have likely been a mass shooting, including one who, driving a pickup truck, saw the suspect in the parking lot and hit him.
—Detroit Free Press, Freep.com, 28 Sep. 2025
In less than 48 hours since Friday night, authorities counted 41 crossing attempts, some of them thwarted, along the Pas-de-Calais coastline that police patrol day and night, the prefecture said in a statement.
—CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2025
Johnson thwarted Messi again just before halftime with a heads-up save from close range.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
Henry was having a decent game against the Lions for the most part, but much like in the loss against the Buffalo Bills, the Ravens’ momentum was thwarted down four points in the fourth quarter.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2025
In overtime, Dallas goalie Jake Oettinger thwarted a Vinnie Hinostroza breakaway with a pad save, and Tyler Seguin scored for the Stars just seconds later, as Minnesota fell to 1-1 in the preseason.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 23 Sep. 2025
Day one of the four-day festival was graced with clear weather, unlike in 2024, when Slayer’s headlining set was thwarted by remnants of Hurricane Helene that left the festival grounds at the Kentucky Exposition Center drenched with rain.
—Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal, 22 Sep. 2025
Against Atlanta, the Panthers forced returners to earn yardage, and for the most part, those attempts were thwarted for minimal gains.
—Charlotte Observer, 21 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thwarted
Verb
-
Martin Odegaard hobbling off the Emirates pitch for the third time in as many starts would have frustrated Mikel Arteta, but having Martin Zubimendi waiting in the wings is a luxury any manager would dream of.—
Art de Roché,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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Youths frustrated at a social media ban, corruption and lack of economic opportunities coordinated mass protests via Discord that helped bring down the government.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Penn State came up short against Oregon last week, and the second loss of the season hampered their chances of making the College Football Playoff with a tough road ahead of them.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
5 Oct. 2025
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After being hampered by injuries late in his time with the Royals, Keller is healthy and happy to be part of Chicago’s bullpen.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But the rhetoric has baffled Democrats, who see ER payments as effective and noncontroversial and are unwilling to disavow it.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
2 Oct. 2025
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Fans in the surrounding section can be heard in shock, baffled that the man gave away such a coveted possession.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Our plans were foiled, but our spirits remained high.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
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In June, Pashinyan announced that a plot had been foiled to oust his administration.—
Thomas de Waal,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Thwarted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thwarted. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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