thwart

American  

[thwawrt] / θwɔrt /

verb (used with object)

1. to oppose successfully; prevent from accomplishing a purpose.

   Synonyms:

   obstruct, hinder

2. to frustrate or baffle (a plan, purpose, etc.).

3. Archaic.

   1. to cross.

   2. to extend across.

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noun

1. a seat across a boat, especially one used by a rower.

2. a transverse member spreading the gunwales of a canoe or the like.

adjective

1. passing or lying crosswise or across; cross; transverse.

2. perverse; obstinate.

3. adverse; unfavorable.

preposition

1. across; athwart.

thwart British  

/ θwɔːt /

verb

1. to oppose successfully or prevent; frustrate

   they thwarted the plan

2. obsolete to be or move across

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noun

1. nautical a seat lying across a boat and occupied by an oarsman

adjective

1. passing or being situated across

2. archaic perverse or stubborn

preposition

1. obsolete across

Related Words

Thwart, frustrate, baffle imply preventing one, more or less completely, from accomplishing a purpose. Thwart and frustrate apply to purposes, actions, plans, etc., baffle, to the psychological state of the person thwarted. Thwart suggests stopping one by opposing, blocking, or in some way running counter to one's efforts. Frustrate implies rendering all attempts or efforts useless or ineffectual, so that nothing ever comes of them. Baffle suggests causing defeat by confusing, puzzling, or perplexing, so that a situation seems too hard a problem to understand or solve.

Other Word Forms

• thwartedly adverb
• thwarter noun
• unthwarted adjective
• unthwarting adjective

Etymology

Origin of thwart

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English thwert (adverb), from Old Norse thvert “across,” neuter of thverr “transverse”; cognate with Old English thweorh “crooked, cross,” Gothic thwairhs “cross, angry”

Example Sentences

The Saudi defence ministry said Monday it had thwarted a drone attack targeting an oil field in the kingdom's east, near the Emirati border.

From Barron's

In 2024, U.S. air defenders stationed in Japan got an urgent order: They were needed halfway across the world to help thwart ballistic-missile threats from Iran and its proxies.

From The Wall Street Journal

Army is rushing to the Middle East counterdrone systems that have been battle-tested in Ukraine, in an effort to thwart Tehran’s destructive attacks across the region, U.S. officials said.

From The Wall Street Journal

In a series of statements, the Saudi defence ministry said it had thwarted repeated missile launches at an air base which houses US military personnel and drone attacks at a major oil field.

From Barron's

Nations and individuals alike are deploying cheap but increasingly sophisticated electronic-warfare systems, mostly to thwart attacks by drones and smart munitions.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• circumvent
• counter
• curb
• defeat
• foil
• frustrate
• hinder
• impede
• obstruct
• oppose
• prevent
• stop
• stymie