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 letter didn’t mention Netflix’s rival Paramount, which is seeking to thwart the proposed merger and buy Warner Discovery itself.

From The Wall Street Journal

Revolution’s experimental drugs seek to block the driver, thereby thwarting common cancers including lung, pancreatic and colon that have proven difficult to treat.

From The Wall Street Journal

Treasury yields snapped higher Tuesday, breaking a six-week trading range and thwarting the bond market’s traditional role as a haven in times of stock market volatility.

From Barron's

Since seizing power, the Traore-led junta has repeatedly said it has thwarted attempts to destabilise the country.

From Barron's

A thwarted Everton were told their offer was rejected for "personal reasons".

From BBC

Related Words

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