Showing Results for "thwarts"

thwarts

VERB

stop, hinder

Synonyms

STRONGEST

circumvent counter curb defeat foil frustrate impede obstruct oppose prevent stymie

STRONG

baffle balk beat bilk check confuse crab cramp crimp cross dash disappoint ditch dodge duck match outwit pit restrain ruin scotch skin snafu trammel upset

WEAK

double-cross foul up give the slip hold up louse up play off take down take wind out of upset one's apple cart

Antonyms

STRONGEST

abet aid allow assist encourage facilitate help support

STRONG

clear up delight enlighten explain face free let go liberate lose make happy meet order please release separate straighten

WEAK

forward

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It brings to mind this concept of malicious compliance, where you’re technically doing what you’re supposed to, but in a way that actually thwarts the goals of the powers that be.

From Slate • Aug. 15, 2025

“The Challenge” injects randomness and chaos into the mix that thwarts the most studious strategists, mainly by throwing people for a loop by changing up certain games and tossing psychological tests into its pressure cooker.

From Salon • Nov. 28, 2023

That not only thwarts the aspirations of students and their families, but it also adds costs for the state and federal taxpayers who subsidize their educations.

From Washington Post • Jan. 6, 2023

He starts to get up, but Sandy quickly thwarts his effort, ushering for me to follow her into the kitchen.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 11, 2022

Sometimes she’d be going on very intensely then come to a sudden stop with something like: “What is it? What is it? What can it be that thwarts us?”

From "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro