hitchhike

verb

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hitch·hike | \ ˈhich-ˌhīk

hitchhiked; hitchhiking; hitchhikes

Definition of hitchhike

intransitive verb

1 : to travel by securing free rides from passing vehicles

2 : to be carried or transported by chance or unintentionally destructive insects hitchhiking on ships

transitive verb

: to solicit and obtain (a free ride) especially in a passing vehicle

Other Words from hitchhike Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about hitchhike

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Synonyms for hitchhike

Synonyms

hitch,
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Examples of hitchhike in a Sentence

Her car broke down, so she had to hitchhike back home. He hitchhiked his way across the country last summer.

Recent Examples on the Web Over the summer, bureaucratic conflicts scuttled an effort to set up a testing site on the southern end of the reservation, forcing people without cars to hitchhike or walk for miles to get swabbed. — New York Times, "Tribal Elders Are Dying From the Pandemic, Causing a Cultural Crisis for American Indians," 12 Jan. 2021 Initially, Hudson was filled with rage at his lack of choice, and his only thoughts were of escape — managing to leave the facility and hitchhike the 483 kilometers to Missouri. — Carolyn Wells, Longreads, "The Rehab of Big Sky Country," 31 Dec. 2020 The Pacific was just another adventure for Dunn, who had picked cotton and thrown newspapers as a kid and would hitchhike or hop freight trains to Houston or San Antonio. — Sig Christenson, ExpressNews.com, "San Antonio area’s shrinking band of Pearl Harbor veterans will never forget," 7 Dec. 2020 But many students go to school elsewhere, and the virus has proved its ability to hitchhike with travelers. — Editorial Board Star Tribune, Star Tribune, "Don't let COVID-19 hitchhike home from campus," 31 Oct. 2020 Mitchell was preparing for an armed robbery, and the two decided to hitchhike back to the Navajo reservation, according to court documents. — Justin L. Mack, The Indianapolis Star, "'I have waited 19 years to get justice': Lezmond Mitchell executed inside federal prison in Terre Haute," 26 Aug. 2020 Mitchell was preparing for an armed robbery, and the two decided to hitchhike back to the Navajo reservation, according to court documents. — Justin L. Mack, USA TODAY, "Navajo man executed inside federal prison over tribal leaders’ objections," 26 Aug. 2020 Their politics are just one expression of that basic temperament—a temperament that might push them to live in polyglot cities, to hitchhike across Europe, to watch foreign-language films. — Osita Nwanevu, The New Republic, "We’re Not Polarized Enough," 19 May 2020 Over the Cuckoo's Nest in 1975—but perhaps its biggest legacy is that scene in which Colbert flashes her leg while hitchhiking. — Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, "The Best Road Trip Movies," 25 Mar. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hitchhike.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.