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
Rosalía may be in the throes of her Lux tour, but she’s found some time away from her celestial serenading and intense, country-hopping schedule to join Team Bob.
—
Mykenna Maniece, Vogue, 8 May 2026
On February 24, 2022, Vladimir Putin’s armies seized Chornobyl in the opening throes of their invasion of Ukraine.
—Benjamin MacK-Jackson, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026
Most of his videos, filmed in a local studio or sometimes on the streets of Charlotte, are high-quality shorts showing him in throes of battle with classic villains like Killer Croc or Bane.
—Charlotte Observer, 29 Apr. 2026
That distinction fell to the Phillies who went into the weekend in the throes of a 10-game losing streak.
—Bill Madden, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
And in 2021, in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, a whopping 85% failed to beat the market.
—Terry Savage, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026
But Ashley and Austin, bless their hearts, would live in the throes of a careless spring, with mismatched furniture and super casual pastel curtains.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 20 Apr. 2026
In this telling, Richards, deep in the throes of heroin addiction, somehow managed to come up with one indelible riff after another built around his signature open G tuning — taught to him by Ry Cooder — leading the band to create one of the best albums in rock history.
—Marc Ballon, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
In its final throes, the company sold off its intellectual property and other assets for a measly $39 million mere weeks ago, leaving its once lofty $4 billion market cap five years ago long behind.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 16 Apr. 2026
Mykenna Maniece, Vogue, 8 May 2026
On February 24, 2022, Vladimir Putin’s armies seized Chornobyl in the opening throes of their invasion of Ukraine.
—Benjamin MacK-Jackson, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026
Most of his videos, filmed in a local studio or sometimes on the streets of Charlotte, are high-quality shorts showing him in throes of battle with classic villains like Killer Croc or Bane.
—Charlotte Observer, 29 Apr. 2026
That distinction fell to the Phillies who went into the weekend in the throes of a 10-game losing streak.
—Bill Madden, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
And in 2021, in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, a whopping 85% failed to beat the market.
—Terry Savage, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026
But Ashley and Austin, bless their hearts, would live in the throes of a careless spring, with mismatched furniture and super casual pastel curtains.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 20 Apr. 2026
In this telling, Richards, deep in the throes of heroin addiction, somehow managed to come up with one indelible riff after another built around his signature open G tuning — taught to him by Ry Cooder — leading the band to create one of the best albums in rock history.
—Marc Ballon, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
In its final throes, the company sold off its intellectual property and other assets for a measly $39 million mere weeks ago, leaving its once lofty $4 billion market cap five years ago long behind.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 16 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for throes
Noun
-
In contrast to his offensive struggles, Ohtani has been dominant on the mound.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
5 May 2026
-
But what was more surprising Monday night were Embiid’s struggles in his Sixers’ 137-98 loss to the Knicks.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
Noun
-
The project is particularly acrimonious, drawing out geographical battles between north and south and thorny fights between officials who want to build the tunnel and environmentalists and Delta residents seeking to protect the local ecosystem and their way of life.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
-
Without losing a man or a ship, Dewey’s squadron destroyed the Spanish fleet in the first American naval battle against a foreign power in almost five decades.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
But with a lot of hydration, proper nutrition, and Parks and Recreation rewatches in her down time, it’s made for an easy recovery routine for Rooney as the Frost fight to stay alive in the playoffs.—
Staff Report,
Twin Cities,
9 May 2026
-
The drive to pass a post-production tax credit bill in the California legislature received a boost Friday night when the California Post Alliance announced that the Television Academy has joined the fight.—
Jon Burlingame,
Variety,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Still, the hotel is trying to stay above the fray.—
Aaron Leibowitz,
Miami Herald,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Due to his bloodline and the role of the monarchy in British life, Charles rises above the fray of Britain’s increasingly bitter politics.—
Daniel DePetris,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Jessica Chmielewski, Colleen Gartlan and Ella Riordan led a strong defensive effort in front of Noone.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
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The effort will focus on solutions that can be adapted elsewhere in the world, such as sustainable finance, digital innovation and workforce development.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Throes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/throes. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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