Thwart

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Thwart" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of preventing someone from accomplishing something or hindering a plan or action. Example: "The unexpected rainstorm thwarted our plans for a picnic in the park."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Many schools hope to thwart the decades-long habit of rolling up the waistband of skirts by looking for new styles that can't be "customised".

The Guardian

The Rangers Supporters Trust has called in lawyers in an attempt to thwart his plans.

The Guardian - Business

Putin proceeded to suggest that the charges were an attempt to thwart the re-election of Fifa president Sepp Blatter and hinted that they were related to Russia hosting the 2018 World Cup.

The Guardian - Sport

To them, the word "referendum" generally meant a unionist trap, the sort used to thwart Scotland's constitutional ambitions rather than advance them.

The Guardian

Not only is Abbott trying to repeal Australia's world-leading carbon pricing policy, but he is trying to "thwart" the climate action objectives of our major ally, the USA.

The Guardian

Adam Bogdan kept them afloat in the opening half-hour, conjuring a flurry of superb interceptions and saves to thwart Callum Wilson and Matt Ritchie, but the visitors had still caved in by the time the contest has stretched to the interval.

The Guardian - Sport

Jack, don't pay your band!) is laughable, but it speaks volumes about the double standards with which the world tackles the music industry: you're damned if you play by the rules, and you're damned if you find a creative way to thwart them.

The Guardian - Opinion

Crown said: "I believe that many of the organisations that are most prominent in this campaign in trying to thwart reform will have substantial membership from Opus Dei".

The Guardian

Meanwhile, parliamentary villains Banastre Tarleton (Ciarán Hinds) and the Duke of Clarence (Toby Jones) thwart any attempts to end slavery.

The Guardian - Film

But concerns about a slowing economy, jobs, civil rights and a lack of progress in the Kurdish peace process appear to have combined with worries that Erdoğan could assume quasi-dictatorial powers to thwart the president's ambitions.

The Guardian

If the intention was to thwart the feminazis of the Guardian, however, it was the Sun's sister newspaper the Times which the move most obviously embarrassed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid repetition, consider using synonyms like "hinder", "obstruct", or "foil" to add variety to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "thwart" when the action only delays, rather than completely prevents, a specific outcome. Use "delay" or "postpone" instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "thwart" is a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being prevented or frustrated. Ludwig shows many examples of "thwart" being used to describe preventing plans, ambitions, or efforts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Thwart" is a versatile transitive verb that signifies preventing or hindering an action, plan, or ambition. Ludwig's analysis shows it's grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in formal contexts like News & Media and Business writing. The analysis shows that the examples extracted from Ludwig AI, show how it typically describes the act of obstructing plans or frustrating efforts. When considering alternatives, "prevent", "hinder", and "obstruct" offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings. Ensure correct usage by clearly defining what is being prevented and avoiding its use when only a delay is implied.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Prevent

Focuses on stopping something before it happens or continues.

Obstruct

Highlights the action of blocking progress or making something difficult.

Impede

Emphasizes slowing down or hindering the progress of something.

Hinder

Suggests making it more difficult for something to happen or succeed.

Frustrate

Highlights the feeling of annoyance resulting from being unable to accomplish something.

Foil

Implies preventing someone from achieving their aim through cleverness or strategy.

Counteract

Focuses on neutralizing the effect of something.

Stymie

Suggests presenting an obstacle that is difficult to overcome.

Baffle

Emphasizes confusing someone to the point where they cannot proceed.

Check

Implies a sudden stop or restraint.

FAQs

How to use "thwart" in a sentence?

"Thwart" is typically used as a verb to indicate preventing someone or something from achieving a goal or action. For example, "The security measures were designed to thwart any potential threats."

What can I say instead of "thwart"?

You can use alternatives like "prevent", "hinder", or "obstruct", depending on the context.

What is the difference between "thwart" and "delay"?

"Thwart" implies completely preventing an action or goal, while "delay" only means postponing it. The police might "thwart" a robbery, but bad weather might "delay" a flight.

Is "thwart" formal or informal?

"Thwart" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is more common in formal writing and speech. In more casual settings, simpler words like "stop" or "block" might be preferred.