1. prevents someone from accomplishing something; blocks or defeats
Usage: third person singular present tense of ‘thwart’

1. seats or benches that extend across a boat
Usage: nautical; plural form

Examples

• The security system thwarts any attempt to break in.
• Bad weather thwarts our picnic plans every weekend.
• She thwarts his efforts to surprise her by guessing everything.
• The rowers sat on the wooden thwarts of the small boat.
• The canoe had three thwarts to provide structural support.
• Water collected between the thwarts after the storm.