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
Victor Lindelof came on in midfield during the final throes to shut the match down.
—
Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 26 Jan. 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
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
Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 26 Jan. 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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for throes
Noun
-
The decline of perks, on top of teachers’ financial struggles, may be contributing to burnout at public schools.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
2 Mar. 2026
-
The struggle of this transit is patience — or the lack thereof.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The program currently remains in another legal battle, with people able to renew their status but no new applications accepted.—
Mathew Miranda
February 26,
Sacbee.com,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The battle pitted Ellison against Netflix, the industry’s biggest and most important player.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Not long afterward, he was elected president on a platform deeply hostile to the West and its liberal ideology, and especially to the United States — threatening a hard fight in the event of war.—
Abbas Al Lawati,
CNN Money,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Justin Diez the day after the fight to Seitz’s father.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
While reunion chatter surrounding former Hot Boys members and label leadership has often been overshadowed by tension, Juvie and Mannie have largely avoided the fray, choosing instead to build something new.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
24 Feb. 2026
-
The wife joined the fray, allegedly attacking another septuagenarian who tried to break up the melee after he was decked by her husband.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
According to the firm, the effort reflects sustained demand from naval and air warfighters for aircraft capable of holding targets at risk from extended distances, particularly across the vast air and maritime spaces of the Western Pacific.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Eco effort The Jareckis didn't retrofit sustainability onto an existing luxury product.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Throes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/throes. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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