1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 athwart
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for athwart
Adverb
-
Sacramento International Airport had its busiest month ever in June with 1.3 million travelers passing through, the county reported, as officials forge ahead with a $1.3 billion airport expansion.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacbee.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
The coolest thing about this area is the number of diverse species that migrate through.—
Alex Robinson,
Outdoor Life,
6 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
To measure your iPad, measure across the screen diagonally from corner to corner.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
6 Aug. 2025
-
Gazing toward Mathieu diagonally across the room in December 2019, receiver Sammy Watkins considered how Mathieu’s spirit resonated.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
24 July 2025
Preposition
-
Kaytranada hits the road with Justice on a co-headlining tour across North America this fall.—
Chris Malone Méndez,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
-
Nelson’s announcement follows the formation of five faculty advisory committees in June tasked with identifying cost-cutting measures across the division.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
This natural bamboo drying rack offers a stylish way to preserve your fresh garden herbs long after summer is over.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Aug. 2025
-
At that point, the conversation ended, but the issue wasn’t over.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Preposition
-
The show doesn’t just happen in front of them, but around them.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
The closure of Lime’s London base and a restructure of operations amounted to around £8M of the write-down.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Athwart.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/athwart. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share