thwart
Thwart (verb) means to stop someone from succeeding at a plan; to block or frustrate it. Example: “Police thwarted the robbery before it began.”
How to use thwart
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo block or prevent a plan from working out.
Don't confuse with "thwack" (to hit hard) — they look similar but are unrelated.
Word forms
more thwart comparative, thwarted past tense, thwart plural, thwarted plural, thwarts plural, thwarts singular, thwart singular, thwarted singular, thwartest singular, thwartedst singular, thwarteth singular, most thwart superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Police _____ the robbery before it began.
Etymology
From Old Norse þverr, meaning "transverse" or "across" — the same root behind the word "queer."
Rhymes for thwart
See all rhymes for 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.
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