THWART Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'thwart' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of thwart are baffle , balk , foil , and frustrate . While all these words mean "to check or defeat another's plan or block achievement of a goal," thwart suggests frustration or checking by crossing or opposing. // the army thwarted his attempt at a coup

Q: When is 'baffle' a more appropriate choice than 'thwart'?

The synonyms baffle and thwart are sometimes interchangeable, but baffle implies frustration by confusing or puzzling. // baffled by the maze of rules and regulations

Q: When is it sensible to use 'balk' instead of 'thwart'?

The meanings of balk and thwart largely overlap; however, balk suggests the interposing of obstacles or hindrances. // officials felt that legal restrictions had balked their efforts to control crime

Q: In what contexts can 'foil' take the place of 'thwart'?

In some situations, the words foil and thwart are roughly equivalent. However, foil implies checking or defeating so as to discourage further effort. // foiled by her parents, he stopped trying to see her

Q: When could 'frustrate' be used to replace 'thwart'?

The words frustrate and thwart are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, frustrate implies making vain or ineffectual all efforts however vigorous or persistent. // frustrated attempts at government reform

thwart

verb

ˈthwȯrt

Definition of thwart

as in to frustrate

to prevent from achieving a goal a coalition of grassroots organizations thwarted the company's efforts to get approval for a new power plant

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How does the verb thwart differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of thwart are baffle, balk, foil, and frustrate. While all these words mean "to check or defeat another's plan or block achievement of a goal," thwart suggests frustration or checking by crossing or opposing.

the army thwarted his attempt at a coup

When is baffle a more appropriate choice than thwart?

The synonyms baffle and thwart are sometimes interchangeable, but baffle implies frustration by confusing or puzzling.

baffled by the maze of rules and regulations

When is it sensible to use balk instead of thwart?

The meanings of balk and thwart largely overlap; however, balk suggests the interposing of obstacles or hindrances.

officials felt that legal restrictions had balked their efforts to control crime

In what contexts can foil take the place of thwart?

In some situations, the words foil and thwart are roughly equivalent. However, foil implies checking or defeating so as to discourage further effort.

foiled by her parents, he stopped trying to see her

When could frustrate be used to replace thwart?

The words frustrate and thwart are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, frustrate implies making vain or ineffectual all efforts however vigorous or persistent.

frustrated attempts at government reform

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of thwart Now, researchers at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have thwarted that tyranny even more profoundly, by devising an ultra-fast way to steer light, using light itself as the steering wheel. — New Atlas, 20 Aug. 2026 The 78-year-old had been indicted in April on charges related to what prosecutors said was a scheme to thwart public records requests received by the agency beginning in April 2020 related ⁠to Covid-19 research grants. — Reuters, NBC news, 19 Aug. 2026 The 78-year-old had been indicted in April on charges related to what prosecutors said was a scheme to thwart public records requests received by the agency beginning in April 2020 related to COVID-19 research grants. — Nate Raymond, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026 One of the most important indicators that this path is plausible is how hard Beijing is working to thwart it. — Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for thwart

Recent Examples of Synonyms for thwart

Verb

During the delay, television cameras captured the Blue Jays waiting and visibly frustrated by the delay, with Scherzer among the players reacting to what was happening.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
North is frustrated with Jasper County officials, specifically the commissioners, for pushing the project through.

— Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of frustrate

Verb

Likewise, when crime bosses become international liabilities that could hamper Beijing’s relations with other countries, or when their political patrons fall and there are fewer political costs to targeting them, Beijing will act.

— Alvin Camba, Foreign Affairs, 21 Aug. 2026
The administration’s postponement of a Food and Drug Administration rule hampered the food safety system, which hindered a response to the outbreak.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of hamper

Verb

The problem is, Isolde is very busy with work, so Ry is often left to herself with four alarms a day to take medication to prevent seizures.

— Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
Shingles, which can cause painful rashes, fever, chills, headaches and fatigue, can be prevented by getting the two-dose vaccine, which is about 90% effective in the elderly.

— Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of prevent

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“Thwart.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thwart. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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