Definition of "thwart" []

• To prevent the occurrence, realization, or attainment of: They thwarted her plans. (verb-transitive)
• To oppose and defeat the efforts, plans, or ambitions of. (verb-transitive)
• Nautical A seat across a boat on which a rower may sit. (noun)
• Extending, lying, or passing across; transverse. (adjective)
• Eager to oppose, especially wrongly; perverse. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Mugabe spoke about a "vicious onslaught" by his overseas critics, saying they were trying to "thwart" the country from importing food."
• "How exactly did Barney Frank "thwart" reform of Fannie & Freddie?"
• "This is the reason why the thwart which is farthest aft is made the seat of the best oarsman, and the others are required to make their motions keep time with his."