to thwart

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "to thwart" is a correct and usable in written English.
It is used as a verb meaning to prevent (someone or something) from achieving an aim. For example, "The police officers attempted to thwart the robbers' escape."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Electronic wands replaced keys to thwart replication.

The New York Times

To thwart them, "we are controlling events.

The New Yorker

He would like to thwart the Norman Conquest.

The New Yorker

Let's rally together to thwart them.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Chirac camp remains determined to thwart his ambitions.

The Economist

Owens pounded Ziggler, managing to thwart each of his rallies.

Independent

Think you have a way to thwart them?

The New York Times

Like all who tried to thwart her, they failed.

Independent

The garden is using pepper spray to thwart squirrel attacks.

The New York Times

Republican reformers, however, hoped to thwart his nomination.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Or, perhaps, are these countries trying to thwart foreign aggression?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to thwart" when you want to convey the idea of actively and successfully preventing something from happening, often implying opposition or resistance. For example, "Security measures were implemented to thwart potential attacks".

Common error

Avoid using "to thwart" when simply describing a failure or lack of success without active intervention. For instance, instead of saying 'The project was thwarted by lack of funding,' consider 'The project failed due to lack of funding' if there wasn't a deliberate attempt to stop it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to thwart" functions primarily as an infinitive verb phrase. Its role is to express purpose or intention, often indicating an effort to prevent or obstruct something. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to thwart" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed infinitive verb phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, its meaning centers around actively preventing or obstructing something. Its usage is prevalent in "News & Media", scientific writing, and formal business contexts. When writing, remember that "to thwart" carries an active connotation, implying deliberate intervention. Related phrases include "to prevent", "to impede", and "to obstruct". All of those alternatives have subtle differences that can change the entire meaning of the sentence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to prevent

More general term for stopping something from happening; lacks the sense of actively opposing.

to foil

Emphasizes successfully preventing someone's plans from succeeding.

to impede

Implies slowing down or hindering progress rather than complete prevention.

to obstruct

Suggests creating a physical or metaphorical barrier.

to hinder

Similar to 'impede', but can also mean creating difficulties.

to frustrate

Highlights the feeling of annoyance caused by being prevented from achieving something.

to counter

Implies acting against something to reduce its effect.

to counteract

More forceful and directed version of counter

to stymie

Similar to thwart but suggests an impasse or blocking.

to preclude

To exclude something from happening

FAQs

How to use "to thwart" in a sentence?

You can use "to thwart" to indicate the prevention of something, such as, "The new regulations are designed "to thwart" illegal activities." It emphasizes an active effort to stop something.

What can I say instead of "to thwart"?

You can use alternatives like "to prevent", "to impede", or "to obstruct", depending on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Which is correct, "to thwart" or "to encourage"?

"To thwart" and "to encourage" are antonyms with opposite meanings. "To thwart" means to prevent or obstruct, while "to encourage" means to support or promote. The correct choice depends entirely on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "to thwart" and "to hinder"?

"To thwart" implies successfully preventing something from happening, often through direct opposition. "To hinder", on the other hand, suggests slowing down or making something more difficult, without necessarily stopping it completely. Use "to hinder" when the aim is to slow progress, not necessarily stop it entirely, as it is with ""to thwart"".