as in hitching
to travel by securing free rides
another one of those novels in which the hero undertakes a journey of self-discovery by hitchhiking around the country
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Recent Examples of hitchhiking
In one segment, when Kimmel and McNearney pick up a hitchhiking Olivia Rodrigo while taking the family to school, Jane shows off her personality, clasping her hands over her mouth in disbelief when Rodrigo enters the car, only to sing-along with the pop star on her way to school.
—
ABC News, 12 May 2026
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
At Loyola, his eye for the absurd found a feast in the French Quarter; his interview series, Quarter Confessions, eventually birthed his memoir-zine, All Gas, No Brakes, a document of a 70-day hitchhiking journey across America.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
Your journey may not be as dramatic as Bob Dylan hitchhiking from Minnesota to Greenwich Village.
—Bill Gurley, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2026
The crew has been in medical quarantine since March 18 to protect their voyage from hitchhiking germs.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 27 Mar. 2026
Lint rollers are also an excellent tool at at removing hitchhiking bed bugs from your person or belongings, adds Wilson.
—Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 16 Feb. 2026
Black had contact with many people in town while hitchhiking back and forth.
—Alan Gionet, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026
ABC News, 12 May 2026
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
At Loyola, his eye for the absurd found a feast in the French Quarter; his interview series, Quarter Confessions, eventually birthed his memoir-zine, All Gas, No Brakes, a document of a 70-day hitchhiking journey across America.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
Your journey may not be as dramatic as Bob Dylan hitchhiking from Minnesota to Greenwich Village.
—Bill Gurley, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2026
The crew has been in medical quarantine since March 18 to protect their voyage from hitchhiking germs.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 27 Mar. 2026
Lint rollers are also an excellent tool at at removing hitchhiking bed bugs from your person or belongings, adds Wilson.
—Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 16 Feb. 2026
Black had contact with many people in town while hitchhiking back and forth.
—Alan Gionet, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hitchhiking
hitching
Verb
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The developmental vehicle returned to Earth empty, while its crew remained behind at the orbital outpost before hitching a ride home in March 2025 with Boeing's SpaceX competitor.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
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More urgent and concerning is the possibility of winter ticks hitching a ride on mule deer that migrate into Alaska.—
Natalie Krebs,
Outdoor Life,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hitchhiking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hitchhiking. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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