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athwart

preposition \ ə-ˈthwȯrt , naut often -ˈthȯrt \

Definition of athwart

1 : across
2 : in opposition to
  • a procedure directly athwart the New England prejudices
  • —R. G. Cole

See athwart defined for kids

Examples of athwart in a Sentence

  1. athwart the road was farmland as far as the eye could see

First Known Use of athwart

15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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athwart Synonyms

Synonyms

across, over, through;

Related Words

around, round;

beyond, past;

2

athwart

adverb

Definition of athwart

1 : across especially in an oblique direction
2 : in opposition to the right or expected course
  • and quite athwart goes all decorum
  • —William Shakespeare

Examples of athwart in a Sentence

  1. after it enters the Gulf of Mexico, the hurricane is predicted to advance athwart to the Texas coastline

  2. we hung the twisted strips of crepe paper athwart to the floor and ceiling so that they formed giant crosses on all four walls

First Known Use of athwart

circa 1500

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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athwart Synonyms

Synonyms

bias, cornerways, cornerwise, crossways, crosswise, diagonally, kitty-corner (also catty-corner), obliquely, transversely;

Near Antonyms

lengthwise, longitudinally;

Related Words

across;

Phrases

on the bias, on the diagonal;

Learn More about athwart

  1. See words that rhyme with athwart Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for athwart

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