thwart
8 synonyms and 5 antonyms for thwart, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To stop someone from succeeding at a plan; to block or frustrate it.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use thwart
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
thwart an attempt
thwart a plan
thwart someone's efforts
Etymology
From Old Norse þverr, meaning "transverse" or "across" — the same root behind the word "queer."
Full origin of thwart →Frequently asked questions
What does “thwart” mean?
The word “thwart” means to stop someone from succeeding at a plan; to block or frustrate it. In plain terms, to block or prevent a plan from working out.
How do you pronounce “thwart”?
“Thwart” is pronounced thwawt (/θwɔɹt/ in IPA).
How do you use “thwart” in a sentence?
Here is “thwart” used in a sentence: “Police thwarted the robbery before it began.”
What part of speech is “thwart”?
Depending on how it is used, “thwart” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “thwart” come from?
The word “thwart” comes from Old Norse. From Old Norse þverr, meaning "transverse" or "across" — the same root behind the word "queer.".
How many meanings does “thwart” have?
“Thwart” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to stop someone from succeeding at a plan; to block or frustrate it.
