Hinder vs. Thwart: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Harlon Moss || Published on January 11, 2024
"Hinder means to create obstacles that delay or impede progress, while thwart involves actively stopping or negating someone's plans or efforts."
Key Differences
Hinder refers to creating difficulties that delay or impede progress, often making a task more challenging but not impossible. Thwart, in contrast, means to actively and effectively stop or negate someone’s efforts or plans, often leading to failure.
Hindering involves a lesser degree of interference, typically slowing down or complicating a process. Thwarting implies a more direct and complete interference, leading to the prevention of an intended outcome.
Hindering may not always have the intent to completely stop an action and might unintentionally arise from various factors. Thwarting usually involves a deliberate action with the intent to render someone’s efforts ineffective.
Hinder is often used in a broader context, applicable to various situations where progress is slowed. Thwart is more specific, typically used in scenarios where a plan or action is completely stopped or defeated.
Hindering can occur in everyday situations, like traffic hindering one's commute. Thwarting is more strategic, as in a detective thwarting a criminal’s plans.
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Comparison Chart
Type of Interference
Creates obstacles, delays
Actively stops or nullifies
Degree of Impact
Lesser, slows down
Greater, leads to failure
Intent
May be unintentional
Usually deliberate
Contextual Use
Broader application
More specific to stopping plans
Common Examples
Traffic, weather conditions
Strategic interference in plans
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Hinder and Thwart Definitions
Hinder
To make difficult or delay.
Bad weather hindered the construction work.
Thwart
To oppose successfully.
She thwarted his attempts at cheating.
Hinder
To hold back or impede.
Lack of funding hindered the project’s progress.
Thwart
To block or counteract.
The team thwarted the opposing team’s offensive plays.
Hinder
To interfere with action or progress.
His lack of experience hindered his performance.
Thwart
To prevent someone from accomplishing something.
The detective thwarted the thief’s plan.
Hinder
To obstruct or hamper.
Injuries hindered the athlete’s training.
Thwart
To frustrate or baffle.
The new regulations thwarted their business strategy.
Hinder
To cause delay or interruption.
Technical issues hindered the software launch.
Thwart
To defeat the hopes or aspirations of.
His ambitions were thwarted by lack of support.
Hinder
Located at or forming the back or rear; posterior
An animal's hind legs.
The hinder part of a steer.
Thwart
To prevent the occurrence, realization, or attainment of
They thwarted her plans.
Hinder
Variant of hind1.
Thwart
To oppose and defeat the efforts, plans, or ambitions of (someone).
FAQs
How does thwart apply to competition?
It involves actively preventing an opponent from succeeding.
What does it mean to thwart a plot?
To successfully prevent the plot from being carried out.
Can weather hinder travel plans?
Yes, by causing delays or making travel more difficult.
Can lack of resources hinder a business?
Yes, by limiting its capabilities and slowing growth.
Can someone thwart their own goals?
Yes, often through self-sabotage or counterproductive actions.
Is hindering always intentional?
Not always; it can occur due to various unintentional factors.
Can technological issues hinder progress?
Yes, by causing delays and operational difficulties.
How does hindering affect project timelines?
It can cause delays and extend the time needed for completion.
Is thwarting a strategy in games?
Yes, it’s often used as a strategy to defeat opponents.
What does hinder mean in a work context?
It means to create obstacles that delay or complicate work.
Does thwarting require direct action?
Generally, yes, it involves active measures to stop something.
What’s an example of hindering in daily life?
"Traffic congestion hindered my commute to work."
How might one use thwart in a sentence?
"The team’s defense thwarted all attempts to score."
Can a person hinder their own success?
Yes, through self-doubt or self-imposed obstacles.
Does thwart mean to completely stop something?
Typically, it means to completely prevent or stop an action or plan.
Is hindering always negative?
While often seen as negative, it can sometimes lead to positive outcomes.
What’s another word for hinder?
Impede or obstruct.
Does thwart imply a successful opposition?
Yes, it usually means successfully stopping an action.
Is thwart used in legal contexts?
Yes, often in the context of preventing crimes or legal actions.
Can education thwart ignorance?
Yes, by providing knowledge that counters ignorance.
About Author
Written by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
