Thwart: meaning, example and synonyms
Thwartv. To prevent someone from accomplishing something; to block a plan.
Example
Unexpected spring frosts thwarted the orchard's plan to expand production, killing most of the blossoms before they could set fruit.
- Part of speech
- verb
- Synonyms
- foil, frustrate, block, hinder
- Antonyms
- aid, assist, enable, facilitate
- Memory tip
- Old Norse thvert = "across": to thwart is to cut across a plan.
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Check yourself: Thwart in context
A sudden change in the wind ______ the explorers' plan to reach the island before nightfall, forcing them to drop anchor in open water.
Answer: thwarted. The wind stopped the plan from succeeding, so it thwarted it. Gleaned, emulated and brooded don't mean to block a plan.
The new encryption method was designed to ______ hackers, who had easily broken the older codes within hours.
Answer: thwart. Stronger encryption is meant to stop hackers from succeeding: to thwart them. Glean (gather), emulate (imitate) and brood (dwell gloomily) don't fit a defense.