What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
stonewall
Example
The witness continued to stonewall the prosecutor's questions. [stonewall: verb]
Example
The company's stonewalling tactics prevented any progress in the negotiations. [stonewalling: noun]
thwart
Example
The security guard thwarted the thief's attempt to steal the painting. [thwart: verb]
Example
The heavy traffic thwarted our plans to arrive on time. [thwarted: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Thwart is more commonly used than stonewall in everyday language. Thwart is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while stonewall is less common and typically used in political or legal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between stonewall and thwart?
Both stonewall and thwart can be used in formal or informal contexts. However, stonewall is more commonly associated with a formal tone due to its use in legal or political contexts.
