as in frustrated
to prevent from achieving a goal
a coalition of grassroots organizations thwarted the company's efforts to get approval for a new power plant
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 thwarted
Twice thwarted, Beth sighs, says yes, and gets on with the business of living.
—
Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2026
This all-consuming love, thwarted in the book by circumstances, has flourished beyond its pages.
—New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Then Lord Blackwood tries to enact a plan that involves poisoning much of Parliament, and he’s finally thwarted in a third-act fight sequence that plays out on top of London’s Tower Bridge, then in construction.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2026
Connor Ingram finished the second period without facing a shot, and had seven saves in the third, as Edmonton’s season-long three-game win streak was halted and their NHL-best power play thwarted twice.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2026
But Jonathan, Teddy and Angela’s plan to divert Roper’s purchase of an electromagnetic pulse device meant to plunge South America into chaos is thwarted when Roper catches on to Teddy’s love for Jonathan.
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 1 Feb. 2026
Attacks on security posts in Balincha, Tump and Kharan districts were thwarted, while in Pasni and Gwadar, insurgents attempted to abduct passengers traveling on buses along highways, police said.
—Abdul Sattar, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
But Georgia's offense has been thwarted at times, too, scoring just 74 against Missouri and 67 versus Texas.
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 30 Jan. 2026
And the old hands who know their way around the Washington labyrinth mostly see the Tech Hamiltonians as a menace to be thwarted, and so use their talent and knowledge to work against rather than for the new regime.
—Walter Russell Mead, The Atlantic, 24 Jan. 2026
Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2026
This all-consuming love, thwarted in the book by circumstances, has flourished beyond its pages.
—New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Then Lord Blackwood tries to enact a plan that involves poisoning much of Parliament, and he’s finally thwarted in a third-act fight sequence that plays out on top of London’s Tower Bridge, then in construction.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2026
Connor Ingram finished the second period without facing a shot, and had seven saves in the third, as Edmonton’s season-long three-game win streak was halted and their NHL-best power play thwarted twice.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2026
But Jonathan, Teddy and Angela’s plan to divert Roper’s purchase of an electromagnetic pulse device meant to plunge South America into chaos is thwarted when Roper catches on to Teddy’s love for Jonathan.
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 1 Feb. 2026
Attacks on security posts in Balincha, Tump and Kharan districts were thwarted, while in Pasni and Gwadar, insurgents attempted to abduct passengers traveling on buses along highways, police said.
—Abdul Sattar, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
But Georgia's offense has been thwarted at times, too, scoring just 74 against Missouri and 67 versus Texas.
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 30 Jan. 2026
And the old hands who know their way around the Washington labyrinth mostly see the Tech Hamiltonians as a menace to be thwarted, and so use their talent and knowledge to work against rather than for the new regime.
—Walter Russell Mead, The Atlantic, 24 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thwarted
Verb
-
Florida House Republicans, who assembled a redistricting committee last summer, have been frustrated by the slower pace set by DeSantis.—
Michael Van Sickler,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Ava Mattox, 32, was looking to connect with other readers, frustrated by how few Americans read for pleasure these days.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Democratic lawmakers condemn Maxwell’s plea Democrats in the House Oversight Committee denounced Maxwell’s request for a presidential pardon and suggested that Trump’s refusal to rule out such a possibility has hampered the committee’s inquiry.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
10 Feb. 2026
-
As has been the case many a time during the season, giveaways hampered Golden State for much of the night.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Even Proctor’s defense attorney seemed baffled by the district attorney’s office’s handling of the case.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
This disconnect, despite all appearances of a serious campaign, has left many Democrats baffled.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
When the compositions aren’t foiled, the chemicals break down the fabric even further, facilitating oxidation and the subsequent development of radiant green coats.—
Theo Belci,
Artforum,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Shahid Rind, a spokesman for the Balochistan government, said most of the attacks were foiled.—
Abdul Sattar,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Thwarted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thwarted. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
