as in struggle
a forceful effort to reach a goal or objective
that third-world country is caught up in the throes of a democratic revolution
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Recent Examples of throes
The United States first seized Guantánamo Bay in 1898, when Washington intervened in the last throes of Cuba’s thirty-year struggle for independence from Spain.
—
Miriam Pensack, The Dial, 30 Sep. 2025
As Wes, Sope Dirisu has played a compelling figure in the blind throes of a meteoric rise.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025
Both have started games for the Astros this season, and McCullers, specifically, is a veteran who has pitched in the throes of a playoff race.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
Both hindsight and foresight is 20/20 in these scenarios, but recognizing your affective arousal while caught within its throes can be decidedly tricky.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Bobby's death came in the middle of a major contagion crisis that pulled the 118 fire department into fatal throes.
—Mekishana Pierre, EW.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Mette Degn-Christensen, founder of fair organizer Downtown Design, told WWD earlier this year that the whole region is in the throes a transformational chapter.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 22 Aug. 2025
Miriam Pensack, The Dial, 30 Sep. 2025
As Wes, Sope Dirisu has played a compelling figure in the blind throes of a meteoric rise.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025
Both have started games for the Astros this season, and McCullers, specifically, is a veteran who has pitched in the throes of a playoff race.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
Both hindsight and foresight is 20/20 in these scenarios, but recognizing your affective arousal while caught within its throes can be decidedly tricky.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Bobby's death came in the middle of a major contagion crisis that pulled the 118 fire department into fatal throes.
—Mekishana Pierre, EW.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Mette Degn-Christensen, founder of fair organizer Downtown Design, told WWD earlier this year that the whole region is in the throes a transformational chapter.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for throes
Noun
-
Stephens said there were signs of a struggle, and Thomas' body had been dragged about 180 feet into the woods.—
Bill Bowden,
Arkansas Online,
24 Oct. 2025
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Passmore reflects on Shakur’s life and considers how her story highlights the broader struggles and resilience of Black activists whose work is marginalized in mainstream histories.—
Fiction Non Fiction,
Literary Hub,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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As soon as a battle or a war has been fought, victors and losers alike begin to tell different stories.—
Elizabeth D. Samet,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
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Linked by the fire, a cashier, fire-fighter, district attorney and student battle to prevent tragedy, the blaze’s consequences still roiling two decades later.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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When police arrived, however, there was no sign of any fight or crime scene.—
Liam Quinn,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
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In his eight wins, all eight have come inside the distance, with only two fights seeing a second round.—
Brett Appley,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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On Tuesday, OpenAI also entered the fray with its new AI powered browser, ChatGPT Atlas.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
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Early manager Mike Appel had to twist his arm to speak with Time for a 1975 cover story, and Springsteen generally stayed far away from the partisan political fray, even when President Reagan tried to absorb some of his popularity by name-checking him on the 1984 campaign trail.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In recent days, the grassroots effort has spread, as messages offering and seeking assistance are cut, copied and pasted throughout communities big and small, connecting neighbors and finding those in need tangible help.—
Alisha Ebrahimji,
CNN Money,
29 Oct. 2025
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Hendrix and Bersten received a 36 for their efforts last week.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Throes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/throes. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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