THWART Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

thwart

verb

ˈthwȯrt

Definition of thwart next

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

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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

Examples 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 The Packers, who have won seven of their last eight games, built a 27-3 lead and made a goal-line stand to thwart a comeback attempt. —

Steve Megargee, Chicago Tribune, 29 Nov. 2024 All but two had been delivered by Tuesday, with delivery plans for the last two birds thwarted by Alaska’s unpredictable weather. —

Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 28 Nov. 2024 Those plans were thwarted by the COVID-19 pandemic. —

Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 26 Nov. 2024 The military reported that troops thwarted the bomber's attempt to infiltrate the security post, forcing the attacker to detonate the explosive-laden vehicle against the perimeter wall. —

Matt Robison, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for thwart

Recent Examples of Synonyms for thwart

Verb

States’ representatives were frustrated and adversarial in their remarks during separate panels later in the CRWUA event.

Austin Corona, The Arizona Republic, 7 Dec. 2024
Residents who are still skeptical of the police department's effectiveness were frustrated Thursday night by continued issues of homeless encampments and substance use.

Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 6 Dec. 2024