thumb

Definition of thumbnext
1
as in to hitch
to travel by securing free rides thought I'd thumb into town instead of paying for a cab

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2
as in to flip
to turn over pages in an idle or cursory manner I thumbed through the book during the flight but was too distracted to really read it

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of thumb Going out on top has its appeal, but Auriemma plans, even if granted another such opportunity, to thumb his nose at it once more. Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 15 Mar. 2026 Val Kilmer’s performance as this trickster poet forever thumbing his nose at reality embodies the movie’s tensions. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2026 For months, this young, rambunctious, and altogether infectious bunch played with house money, thumbing their collective noses at the idea of another year of rebuild futility. Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2026 When the Chicago Tribune went after him, stirring up the first of many federal, state, and local investigations into Robinson's activities, Noah thumbed his nose. Gail Sheehy, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for thumb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thumb
Verb
  • Nowadays, executives are cautious not to hitch their wagon on a single territory, as geographic balance is one of the few real hedges the industry has to weather current turbulences.
    Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 1 May 2026
  • Washing and drying clothes at high temperature can help kill any ticks that managed to hitch a ride.
    Lakshmi Chauhan, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Finally, Mira chalked her hands, boosted herself onto a dangling metal hoop, flipped upside down, and hung from a single knee, arms spread out like a rotor.
    Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
  • Once Wagner went down with a strained calf and missed the final three games, everything flipped.
    Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 May 2026
Verb
  • On March 17, a video obtained by TMZ showed LaBeouf in a hotel lobby in Rome, Italy, wearing only his underwear and trying to bum a light for a cigarette.
    Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Spring cleaning bumming you out?
    K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • In spring, when the trees start to leaf, Cedar Mountain comes alive with toe-tapping music, pottery studios, galleries and locals who welcome you in.
    Belinda Luksic, Southern Living, 1 May 2026
  • At the site, trees are leafing as workers add finishing touches.
    Aria Jones, Dallas Morning News, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • In short, this step ensures the mission doesn't accidentally carry any hitchhiking microorganisms to Mars.
    Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 1 May 2026
  • Weeds can come back if the entire root system isn’t killed, and new seeds can sprout later thanks to wind, bird droppings, animal fur, and even hitchhiking in on your shoes and pants.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Don’t skim the surface, and get to the bottom of things.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
  • The SpanxSupersmooth SoftStretch Slim Joggers skim the body for a look that’s slightly tailored but still loose.
    Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 6 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Thumb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thumb. Accessed 7 May. 2026.

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