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View synonyms for

thwart

[ thwawrt ]

verb (used with object)

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

    Synonyms: ,

  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

/ θɔː /

verb

  1. to oppose successfully or prevent; frustrate

    they thwarted the plan

  2. obsolete.
    to be or move across
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. nautical a seat lying across a boat and occupied by an oarsman
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. passing or being situated across
  2. archaic.
    perverse or stubborn
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

preposition

  1. obsolete.
    across
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈٳɲٱ, noun
  • ˈٳɲٱ, adverb
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Other Word Forms

  • ٳɲĻ· adverb
  • ٳɲİ noun
  • ܲ·ٳɲĻ adjective
  • ܲ·ٳɲiԲ adjective
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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”
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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
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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.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The latest claim comes months after Ouagadougou said it thwarted another "destabilisation" plot against the junta last November.

From

Many Caribbean leaders feel the best strategy to thwart the fallout from tariffs is to negotiate as a bloc.

From

happened since then offers clear evidence that our political system is set up to thwart such awakenings of conscience.

From

A stand-off between private landlords and the local council has thwarted redevelopment, leaving the site frozen in time with just a handful of tenants remaining.

From

On Wednesday, in a rare rebuke of the president, the Senate passed a resolution Wednesday designed to thwart the imposition of tariffs on Canada.

From

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thwaiteThwing