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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 throes
Reinsdorf noted the peculiarities of the prior hiring process, which took place in March 2020 in the early throes of the COVID-19 pandemic with a limited ability to hold meetings and communicate remotely.
—
Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
And having well and truly fallen off the wagon, the recovering alcoholic arrives at one particular murder scene in the full messy throes of withdrawal.
—Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 23 Mar. 2026
Hosts Newcastle United had 10 men for the whole of the second half but somehow pinched a 2-1 win in the final throes of the contest.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
But for many Burmese people, already living in the throes of war, the outcome of the election is unlikely to change much.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 23 Jan. 2026
Clancy allegedly strangled her children Cora, 5, Dawson, 3, and Callan, eight months, during the throes of a postpartum breakdown, then tried to kill herself at their Duxbury home on January 24, 2023.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 22 Jan. 2026
The wide-ranging storm has brought blizzard conditions, strong winds, an ice storm and tornadoes and is being followed by extreme temperature drops that are plunging millions back into the throes of winter.
—Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 29 Dec. 2025
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
Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
And having well and truly fallen off the wagon, the recovering alcoholic arrives at one particular murder scene in the full messy throes of withdrawal.
—Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 23 Mar. 2026
Hosts Newcastle United had 10 men for the whole of the second half but somehow pinched a 2-1 win in the final throes of the contest.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
But for many Burmese people, already living in the throes of war, the outcome of the election is unlikely to change much.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 23 Jan. 2026
Clancy allegedly strangled her children Cora, 5, Dawson, 3, and Callan, eight months, during the throes of a postpartum breakdown, then tried to kill herself at their Duxbury home on January 24, 2023.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 22 Jan. 2026
The wide-ranging storm has brought blizzard conditions, strong winds, an ice storm and tornadoes and is being followed by extreme temperature drops that are plunging millions back into the throes of winter.
—Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 29 Dec. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for throes
Noun
-
The ambassador, who was not identified or criminally charged, stabbed Berry during a struggle that began after the ambassador asked Berry and a teenage girl to stop vaping on a bus.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The Wolverines missed their first 11 shots from 3, finished 2 for 15 from there and won despite the struggles of its best player, Yaxel Lendeborg.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Battle of Kings Mountain, where the Patriots won a 1780 battle just west of Charlotte, and a recreation of British loyalist leader Maj.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
-
In a battle for first place in the Pacific Coast League, Patel drove in five runs and scored a run to lead Irvine to an 8-2 victory over Portola.—
Martin Henderson,
Oc Register,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Republican candidates, State Senator Mayes Middleton and Central Texas Congressman Chip Roy, are in a very contentious fight.—
Jack Fink
April 12,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
The crowd laughed, and the Parenthood actor noted that people intervened and broke up the fight.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
And as the federal government jumps into the fray, looking not only for the particles but also the potential effects on human health, the risk to the multibillion-dollar chemical and fossil fuel companies that manufacture and distribute these products grows.—
Susanne Rust
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Blanche immediately enters the fray as more than just a temporary placeholder.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Castle Rock offered grants to support efforts to commemorate the 150th anniversary.—
Olivia Young,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Each product is designed to work synergistically, delivering visible results with minimal effort, no guesswork involved.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Throes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/throes. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
