crossword clue for thwart – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Crosswordanswer.co.uk, your ultimate resource for solving challenging crossword clues. Below you'll find comprehensive solutions for "crossword clue for thwart", organized by letter count, along with detailed explanations to help you understand the context and improve your puzzle-solving skills.
Solutions for "crossword clue for thwart" by Letter Count
4 Letters
FOIL: To prevent (someone or something) from succeeding; frustrate. Often used when someone's plans are defeated.
5 Letters
BLOCK: An act of stopping or impeding the progress, movement, or accomplishment of something. Can refer to a physical barrier or an abstract obstruction.
6 Letters
HINDER: To create difficulties for (someone or something), resulting in delay or obstruction. Implies making progress more difficult rather than an outright stop.
STYMIE: To prevent or hinder the progress of. Often used in golf, but applies more broadly to any situation where progress is blocked.
7 Letters
PREVENT: To keep (something) from happening or arising. This word emphasizes stopping an event before it occurs.
8 Letters
OBSTRUCT: To block (an opening, path, road, etc.); be in the way of. Can imply a physical barrier or a procedural impediment.
More About "crossword clue for thwart"
'Thwart' is a versatile verb often appearing in crosswords, meaning to prevent someone from accomplishing something. Its core idea revolves around obstruction or frustration. In a puzzle, clues for 'thwart' can vary from direct synonyms to more nuanced phrases that imply interference or opposition. Understanding the subtle differences between words like 'foil', 'block', and 'hinder' is key to selecting the correct answer, especially when faced with multiple options of the same length.
When 'thwart' appears, consider the context provided by the rest of the clue. Is it asking for a physical action, like building a barrier (BLOCK, OBSTRUCT), or a more abstract concept of ruining plans (FOIL, FRUSTRATE)? Pay attention to tense and part of speech as well; a clue like 'Thwarted' would require a past tense answer, while 'Thwarts' would need a present tense, often plural, verb.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Consider All Synonyms: For a word like 'thwart', brainstorm as many synonyms as possible. Then, check which ones fit the given letter count in your puzzle. Don't limit yourself to just one or two possibilities.
- Look at Intersecting Letters: The letters you fill in from crossing clues are your best friends. They often narrow down the possible answers for 'thwart' to just one correct option, making it much easier to solve.
- Analyze the Clue's Nuance: Some clues might hint at a specific type of thwarting. For instance, 'Defeat a scheme' points more towards FOIL, whereas 'Physically block' might lead to OBSTRUCT or BLOCK. Pay attention to these subtle distinctions.
- Use a Crossword Solver Strategically: If you're stuck, use a tool like Crosswordanswer.co.uk. Input the clue and any known letters. Don't just copy the first answer; use the explanations to understand why it's correct, helping you learn for future puzzles.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'thwart' typically mean in a crossword clue?
In crosswords, 'thwart' usually refers to preventing, frustrating, or hindering someone or something from accomplishing a goal. It often implies an action taken to stop progress.
Are there common synonyms for 'thwart' that appear in crosswords?
Yes, common synonyms include words like FOIL, HINDER, BLOCK, OBSTRUCT, PREVENT, STYMIE, FRUSTRATE, and IMPEDE. The correct answer depends on the number of letters and other intersecting clues.
How can I figure out the right length answer for 'thwart'?
The number of letters is crucial. Check the grid for how many squares are allocated. Then, consider synonyms of 'thwart' that match that specific length. If you have intersecting letters from other clues, those will help narrow down the possibilities significantly.