ə-ˈthwȯrt 
nautical often -ˈthȯrt
1
: across
2
: in opposition to
a procedure directly athwart the New England prejudices—
R. G. Cole
R. G. Cole1
: across especially in an oblique direction
2
: in opposition to the right or expected course
and quite athwart goes all decorum—William Shakespeare
William ShakespeareExamples of athwart in a Sentence
Preposition
athwart the road was farmland as far as the eye could see
Adverb
after it enters the Gulf of Mexico, the hurricane is predicted to advance athwart to the Texas coastline
we hung the twisted strips of crepe paper athwart to the floor and ceiling so that they formed giant crosses on all four walls
Recent Examples on the Web
John Fabian Witt, The New Republic, 26 Aug. 2022
One of the world’s largest container ships was wedged athwart the Suez canal on March 24th, apparently blown off course by high winds.
—The Economist, 24 Mar. 2021
One of the world’s largest container ships was wedged athwart the Suez Canal on March 23rd, blown off course by high winds.
—The Economist, 27 Mar. 2021
The outgoing Trump administration is standing athwart a massive investment management trend.
—Michael Taylor, ExpressNews.com, 2 Dec. 2020
Her mother, feeling abandoned by her constantly traveling husband, had affairs; her father’s heartfelt liberalism would run athwart of the postwar Red Scare.
—Elsa Dixler, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Apr. 2020
Indeed, instead of ostentatious acts of helping people, the administration almost preferred being seen standing athwart attempts to provide relief.
—Alex Pareene, The New Republic, 20 Dec. 2019
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Preposition
An obstructionist Supreme Court, however, stood athwart the New Deal’s path.
—John Fabian Witt, The New Republic, 26 Aug. 2022
One of the world’s largest container ships was wedged athwart the Suez canal on March 24th, apparently blown off course by high winds.
—The Economist, 24 Mar. 2021
One of the world’s largest container ships was wedged athwart the Suez Canal on March 23rd, blown off course by high winds.
—The Economist, 27 Mar. 2021
The outgoing Trump administration is standing athwart a massive investment management trend.
—Michael Taylor, ExpressNews.com, 2 Dec. 2020
Her mother, feeling abandoned by her constantly traveling husband, had affairs; her father’s heartfelt liberalism would run athwart of the postwar Red Scare.
—Elsa Dixler, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Apr. 2020
Indeed, instead of ostentatious acts of helping people, the administration almost preferred being seen standing athwart attempts to provide relief.
—Alex Pareene, The New Republic, 20 Dec. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Athwart.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/athwart. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
athwart
1 of 2 preposition
ə-ˈthwȯ(ə)rt
nautical often -thȯ(ə)rt
2
: in opposition to
athwart
2 of 2 adverbLove words? Need even more definitions?
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