Definitions
- Referring to taking action to prevent something from happening. - Talking about anticipating and preparing for a future event or outcome. - Describing the act of obstructing or delaying someone else's plans.
- Referring to preventing or stopping something from happening. - Talking about obstructing or hindering someone else's plans or goals. - Describing the act of frustrating or defeating someone's efforts or intentions.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words involve preventing something from happening.
- 2Both words can be used to describe obstructing or hindering someone else's plans.
- 3Both words imply taking action to stop an event or outcome.
What is the difference?
- 1Intention: Forestall implies taking proactive measures to prevent something from happening, while thwart is more reactive and involves stopping something that is already in progress.
- 2Focus: Forestall emphasizes preparation and anticipation, while thwart focuses on stopping or hindering someone else's plans.
- 3Connotation: Forestall has a more positive connotation, suggesting taking preventative measures to avoid negative outcomes, while thwart has a more negative connotation, implying actively working against someone else's interests.
- 4Usage: Forestall is more commonly used in formal or business contexts, while thwart is more commonly used in everyday language.
- 5Action: Forestall suggests taking action to prevent something from happening, while thwart suggests taking action to stop something that is already happening.
Remember this!
Forestall and thwart are synonyms that both involve preventing something from happening. However, forestall implies taking proactive measures to prevent something from happening, while thwart is more reactive and involves stopping something that is already in progress. Additionally, forestall has a more positive connotation and is more commonly used in formal or business contexts, while thwart has a more negative connotation and is more commonly used in everyday language.
