1. (

• thwart ,
• queer ,
• spoil ,
• scotch ,
• foil ,
• cross ,
• frustrate ,
• baffle ,
• bilk ,

) hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of; "What ultimately frustrated every challenger was Ruth's amazing September surge"; "foil your opponent" ;

2. (

• torment ,
• rag ,
• bedevil ,
• crucify ,
• dun ,
• frustrate

) treat cruelly; "The children tormented the stuttering teacher" ;