athwart 1 of 2

Definition of athwartnext
1
as in through
from one side to the other of an intervening space after it enters the Gulf of Mexico, the hurricane is predicted to advance athwart to the Texas coastline

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Relevance
2
as in diagonally
in a line or direction running from corner to corner we hung the twisted strips of crepe paper athwart to the floor and ceiling so that they formed giant crosses on all four walls

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

athwart

2 of 2

preposition

as in across
to the opposite side of athwart the road was farmland as far as the eye could see

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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 athwart
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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for athwart
Adverb
  • At which point, there’s no way out but through.
    Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 17 Feb. 2026
  • The worst bills in any session often slip through right as things are wrapping up, when bills are passing at a clip too rapid for anyone to inspect them.
    Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2026
Adverb
  • Shortly before the shooting, Good is seen at the wheel of her SUV that is parked diagonally on a street.
    Hannah Schoenbaum, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Shortly before the shooting Good is seen at the wheel of her SUV that is parked diagonally on a street.
    ABC News, ABC News, 13 Feb. 2026
Preposition
  • The agency – while still enlarging its footprint across the country – may adopt more targeted, less public tactics going forward, according to reporting by CNN’s Priscilla Alvarez.
    Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 24 Feb. 2026
  • Vehicle prices across the board have only risen about 1% or so, nothing like the price spikes seen a few years ago during and after the pandemic, said Jessica Caldwell, an analyst for Edmunds.
    Robert Ferris, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2026
Adverb
  • For families The property is, in essence, adults-only—guests must be 16 and over.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026
  • Corruption scandals have brought down several people in Zelensky’s inner circle, including his former business partner Timur Mindich and his long-time right-hand man Andriy Yermak, leading some observers to question whether Zelensky had a tendency to over-rely on tainted allies.
    Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026
Preposition
  • In a large skillet, heat canola oil over medium-high heat and fry tortilla strips until lightly browned around the edges, about 45 seconds.
    Gretchen McKay, Twin Cities, 25 Feb. 2026
  • The controversy around ‘mipymes’ Cuba’s private sector has a bad reputation in Miami, where many local politicians and activists have insisted that most businesses are really connected to the Cuban government or are owned by members of the elite in power.
    Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Athwart.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/athwart. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.

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