thwart

verb

ˈthwȯrt How to pronounce thwart (audio)
Definition of thwartnext
as in to frustrate
to prevent from achieving a goal a coalition of grassroots organizations thwarted the company's efforts to get approval for a new power plant

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb thwart differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of thwart are baffle, balk, foil, and frustrate. While all these words mean "to check or defeat another's plan or block achievement of a goal," thwart suggests frustration or checking by crossing or opposing.

the army thwarted his attempt at a coup

When is baffle a more appropriate choice than thwart?

The synonyms baffle and thwart are sometimes interchangeable, but baffle implies frustration by confusing or puzzling.

baffled by the maze of rules and regulations

When is it sensible to use balk instead of thwart?

The meanings of balk and thwart largely overlap; however, balk suggests the interposing of obstacles or hindrances.

officials felt that legal restrictions had balked their efforts to control crime

In what contexts can foil take the place of thwart?

In some situations, the words foil and thwart are roughly equivalent. However, foil implies checking or defeating so as to discourage further effort.

foiled by her parents, he stopped trying to see her

When could frustrate be used to replace thwart?

The words frustrate and thwart are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, frustrate implies making vain or ineffectual all efforts however vigorous or persistent.

frustrated attempts at government reform

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of thwart As a major bloc that has been able to apply pressure, the union has thwarted several efforts by Mamdani’s predecessors to ban the attraction, as hundreds of carriage operators make a living operating the buggies. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026 South Africa hopes were pinned on Markram, who has a history of thwarting the Australians in the fourth innings. — ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026 On the next play, Bolden sacked Russell and thwarted the Crimson Tide’s chances of kicking a game-tying field goal. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026 The concept, initially planned as a pop-up inside Tori Tori for March 2020, was thwarted by the pandemic. — Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for thwart
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thwart
  1. frustrate
  2. hamper
  3. prevent
Verb
  • Since then, Qatar has been frustrated by allegations leveled by Israeli political leaders that its payments to Gaza had helped finance the deadliest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Wright acknowledged that people are frustrated with the additional costs.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of frustrate
Verb
  • Capturing towns and roads would hamper Tigrayan fighters without necessarily securing the vast rural areas where the rebel forces regrouped during the previous war, Taylor said.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Otherwise, the chemicals can react against each other and hamper recyclability, or worse, release harmful byproducts into the environment.
    — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of hamper
Verb
  • Kenyan President William Ruto said in 2023 that government agencies should have been able to prevent the deaths.
    — Jefferson Kahinju Reuters, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The titanium frame will naturally handle all kinds of impact, and the flashlight's battery chamber is sealed to prevent water damage.
    — Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of prevent

Browse Nearby Words

thwacks
thwart
thwarted
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Cite this Entry

“Thwart.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thwart. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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