thwarts

verb

present tense third-person singular of thwart
as in frustrates
to prevent from achieving a goal a coalition of grassroots organizations thwarted the company's efforts to get approval for a new power plant

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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 thwarts Another tactic is treating ship hulls with special paint that thwarts unwanted hitchhikers from latching on. — ABC News, 30 July 2026 In Homer’s Odyssey, Poseidon thwarts Odysseus’ journey back to Ithaca while Athena intervenes to help him. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 20 July 2026 As a consequence of its sheer polyphonic complexity, Moby-Dick thwarts simple interpretation. — Literary Hub, 6 July 2026 In this way, immigration enforcement policy thwarts reproductive autonomy. — Jallicia Jolly, The Conversation, 15 June 2026 Sam Houston comeback thwarts Irving Arlington Sam Houston scored three unanswered goals after trailing 2-0 in the first half against Irving on Friday night. — Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Mar. 2026 Unless her future self thwarts the plan, Steiner will mail a copy of Empty Chair to her estranged relative in hopes of reconciliation. — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 29 Jan. 2026 But critics say too much state overreach ignores the distinct needs of different communities and thwarts local innovation. — Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 19 Dec. 2025 Impeding disclosure thwarts the very premise of public markets — that transparency fuels efficiency, competition, innovation, and trust. — Andrew Behar, Fortune, 5 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thwarts
  1. frustrates
  2. hampers
  3. baffles
Verb
  • But what most frustrates her is that Calder’s portrayal of Millennial ennui and directionlessness takes those qualities at face value and, in doing so, replicates them.
    — Emma Sarappo, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026
  • Fallback that requires manual intervention or user choice introduces friction that frustrates legitimate users and can be socially engineered by bad actors.
    — Gegham Azatyan, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of frustrates
Verb
  • Cybersecurity experts increasingly warn that restricting access to advanced AI models hampers defenders’ ability to identify vulnerabilities, test systems, and develop countermeasures.
    — James Marks, Fortune, 23 July 2026
  • Neighbors of the state park who have become accustomed to spontaneous visits found that the new system hampers their ability to make a last-minute trip.
    — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 July 2026
Definition of hampers
Verb
  • Meanwhile, McGrew agreed to adjustments, including adding baffles to reduce sound from a attached generator for the tower and replacing tower fencing that incorporated barbed wire with taller, more natural looking fencing.
    — Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026
  • Using humane methods like squirrel baffles and tree nets can effectively keep squirrels out of your fruit trees.
    — Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 18 June 2026
Definition of baffles

Browse Nearby Words

thwarting
thwarts
tiara
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Cite this Entry

“Thwarts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thwarts. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on thwarts

Nglish: Translation of thwarts for Spanish Speakers

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