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 weeklong visit to Spain by Pope Leo XIV has brought the pontiff to a once-staunchly Catholic country that has long been in the throes of waning religious practice and, recently, a political crisis for the governing Socialist Party.
—
ABC News, 6 June 2026
His own son, Ethan, in the throes of a mental health crisis, threw Tom’s wife down the stairs, killing her.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 2 June 2026
An on-duty FDNY firefighter in the throes of a mental health episode was arrested for punching an NYPD officer in the face during an unprovoked attack inside a Queens hospital, police sources said Friday.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 29 May 2026
That felt like the day when patience snapped with Slot as no Liverpool manager had faced that level of dissent on home turf since the final throes of Roy Hodgson’s tenure in late 2010.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 28 May 2026
Nearly a century ago, with many Americans in the throes of the Great Depression, catfish cabins began popping up along creeks, rivers, and bayous across the center of the rural South, particularly in Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Louisiana.
—Chelsea Brasted, Southern Living, 15 May 2026
Since 2019, the tiny Mediterranean country has been in the throes of an economic crisis that pulverized the value of its local currency and its banking system.
—Malak Harb, Fortune, 15 May 2026
Luxury Living Group is in the throes of realizing residential projects for other of its brands as well, such as Bugatti Tower in Dubai, the Bentley Residences in Miami and two Trussardi Residences in Dubai.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 12 May 2026
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
ABC News, 6 June 2026
His own son, Ethan, in the throes of a mental health crisis, threw Tom’s wife down the stairs, killing her.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 2 June 2026
An on-duty FDNY firefighter in the throes of a mental health episode was arrested for punching an NYPD officer in the face during an unprovoked attack inside a Queens hospital, police sources said Friday.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 29 May 2026
That felt like the day when patience snapped with Slot as no Liverpool manager had faced that level of dissent on home turf since the final throes of Roy Hodgson’s tenure in late 2010.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 28 May 2026
Nearly a century ago, with many Americans in the throes of the Great Depression, catfish cabins began popping up along creeks, rivers, and bayous across the center of the rural South, particularly in Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Louisiana.
—Chelsea Brasted, Southern Living, 15 May 2026
Since 2019, the tiny Mediterranean country has been in the throes of an economic crisis that pulverized the value of its local currency and its banking system.
—Malak Harb, Fortune, 15 May 2026
Luxury Living Group is in the throes of realizing residential projects for other of its brands as well, such as Bugatti Tower in Dubai, the Bentley Residences in Miami and two Trussardi Residences in Dubai.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 12 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for throes
Noun
-
The couple also has been open about their struggle with IVF in recent years.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
-
The family’s legal struggles have loomed large over the last several years, but Steven says two moments in particular stand out as the most difficult.—
Deirdre Durkan,
PEOPLE,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
Mexico dominated, winning the possession battle 60% to 40%.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
12 June 2026
-
The Patriots had goals from Maya Feloney and Ava Bridgman, but the possession battle was firmly in NDA’s favor with the score being 5-2.—
Jack Murray,
Boston Herald,
11 June 2026
Noun
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The North Carolina native was set to fight at middleweight against Ruziboev but tipped the scales at 190 pounds—four pounds over the non-title limit—forcing the fight to be canceled.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
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One of Austin Butler's latest fight scenes may have gotten a little too real.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Located on Capitol Hill, but away from the fray that is the Pike-Pine corridor, The Doctor’s Office feels more like the private library of an eccentric drinks obsessive than a bar.—
Mark DeJoy,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
10 June 2026
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Perhaps poking fun at the yearslong saga, Iowa entered the fray.—
Sean Hammond,
Chicago Tribune,
9 June 2026
Noun
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The lawsuit, filed Monday in Los Angeles County Superior Court, is the latest effort by the oversight body to compel the department to provide access to the records.—
Connor Sheets,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2026
-
Starter Payton Tolle gave up two solo homers and a sacrifice fly in a five-inning effort, but reliever Ryan Watson was tagged for a two-run homer in the ninth.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Throes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/throes. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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