thwart

[thwawrt]

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.

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

/ θwɔːt /

verb

1. to oppose successfully or prevent; frustrate

   they thwarted the plan

2. obsolete,  to be or move across

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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of thwart¹

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of thwart¹

C13: from Old Norse thvert, from thverr transverse; related to Old English thweorh crooked, Old High German twerh transverse

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

Ellison’s bidding was designed to thwart Warner’s planned corporate breakup.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Such potential sabotage may already be underway, with Adams considering stacking the city’s Rent Guidelines Board with anti-Mamdani appointees to thwart his rent freeze proposal.

Read more on Salon

Amy Jordan, Ofcom's strategy delivery director, said: "Our plans will ensure that mobile firms consistently apply proven measures to thwart these crimes."

Read more on BBC

He renounced his British passport and became an American citizen in 2019, and became fixated on thwarting China’s advancements in semiconductors.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It was the sort of performance England would not get away with against Australia in particular but New Zealand, whose poor campaign has been thwarted by the rain in Colombo, were unable to capitalise.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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