Thwart attempts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Thwart attempts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions taken to prevent or hinder efforts made by someone or something. Example: "The security measures were put in place to thwart attempts at unauthorized access to the system."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Jimmy Wales said that Wikipedia would easily thwart attempts to track what his site's users were reading by encryption.

The Guardian - Opinion

The second, depicting how other police officers are fighting a determined but losing battle against a system that appears to thwart attempts to help victims at every turn.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the magnetic Mr López Obrador repels as many people as he attracts.He also helped to thwart attempts to unite the anti-PRI vote.

The Economist

It just goes to show how evolving internet and mobile app technology is helping to thwart attempts to limit democratic rights and freedoms".

The Guardian - Tech

Beijing has said that its new aircraft carrier will "thwart" attempts by foreign forces to seize disputed territories in the South China Sea.

The Times

It is the particular fault of those MPs who have previously used every dodgy argument in defence of unelected privilege to thwart attempts to democratise the upper house.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

The Canadian government has repeatedly thwarted attempts at domestic mergers.

The New York Times

Until now Germany, in particular, has thwarted attempts to make cross-border mergers easier.

The Economist

Recalling past thwarted attempts to expose Don, Pete decides to let the matter drop.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Previously, clouds had thwarted attempts to photograph it from the ground.

The New York Times

We have just succeeded in thwarting attempts to relocate a private sports facility by despoiling a small public park.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "thwart attempts" when you want to convey a sense of actively preventing or hindering specific actions, especially those aimed at achieving a particular goal. It's suitable for describing efforts to stop something undesirable from happening.

Common error

Avoid using "thwart attempts" when a simpler word like "prevent" or "stop" suffices. "Thwart" implies a degree of cleverness or strategic action in preventing something, so reserve it for situations where that nuance is relevant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thwart attempts" functions primarily as a verb phrase acting as a predicate, typically describing actions taken to prevent or frustrate specific endeavors. As Ludwig AI highlights, this usage is grammatically correct and common across a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thwart attempts" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to describe actions taken to prevent or hinder specific efforts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used in various contexts, particularly in news, science, and academia. While alternatives like "prevent endeavors" or "hinder efforts" exist, "thwart attempts" carries a nuance of strategic intervention. To use this phrase effectively, ensure that the context involves active prevention and not just simple avoidance or stoppage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Prevent endeavors

Replaces "thwart" with "prevent", which is a more general term for stopping something, and "attempts" with "endeavors", which suggests a more serious or sustained effort.

Hinder efforts

Substitutes "thwart" with "hinder", implying making something more difficult rather than completely stopping it. It maintains a similar level of formality.

Obstruct efforts

Uses "obstruct" to suggest blocking or impeding progress, giving a sense of intentional interference.

Impede attempts

Replaces "thwart" with "impede", suggesting slowing down or creating obstacles. It's a more formal alternative.

Block initiatives

Uses "block" to indicate a direct stoppage and "initiatives" to refer to the actions being prevented, implying a formal or planned undertaking.

Counter efforts

Implies acting against or in opposition to efforts, suggesting a more active resistance.

Neutralize attempts

Suggests rendering attempts ineffective or harmless, implying a strategic response.

Frustrate efforts

Implies causing disappointment and preventing success. Highlights the emotional impact of preventing the action.

Defeat endeavors

Uses "defeat" to emphasize overcoming or winning against ongoing efforts.

Stymie initiatives

Replaces "thwart" with "stymie", suggesting an obstacle that completely prevents progress. It is a more forceful term.

FAQs

How can I use "Thwart attempts" in a sentence?

You can use "thwart attempts" to describe actions taken to prevent something from happening, such as "The new security measures were implemented to "thwart attempts" at unauthorized access".

What are some alternatives to "Thwart attempts"?

Alternatives to "thwart attempts" include "prevent endeavors", "hinder efforts", or "obstruct efforts", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "thwart attempts" a formal or informal phrase?

"Thwart attempts" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts, but it is not particularly informal. Simpler alternatives like "stop" or "prevent" may be more appropriate in casual settings.

What does it mean to "thwart attempts"?

To "thwart attempts" means to successfully prevent someone from achieving something they are trying to do. It suggests actively hindering or stopping their efforts.