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
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
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
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
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
-
At the time, the country was in the throes of a political struggle over leadership following the killing, with the interim prime minister, Claude Joseph, initially in charge before his replacement, Ariel Henry, took over.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Lane mentions the farmers’ struggle and how the president did not help them out.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Longhorns have won the turnover battle in all but three of their games.—
Danny Davis,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
-
When Jokic was out in January, the Nuggets understood that the ideal upset formula involved winning the possession battle.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The company develops and makes products for civilian and military use, such as drone technologies used by Ukraine's armed forces in the fight against the Russian invasion.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Mar. 2026
-
The votes mark incremental progress toward resolving at least some of the vacancies that have fueled the dispute, particularly in Utah, where Holyoak’s interim status has become a flashpoint in the broader fight.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
And the Armada Club may be joining the fray at just the right time.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
17 Mar. 2026
-
So look for another veteran defensive tackle to join the fray; ex-starters Kalia Davis (Browns) and Jordan Elliott (Titans) left town.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Gore said in a statement that because the project has encountered issues, the department has been making efforts to improve transparency and accountability.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
18 Mar. 2026
-
With the state of emergency, response and recovery efforts are offered to Alcona, Alpena, Delta, Missaukee, Ogemaw, Roscommon and Wexford counties.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Throes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/throes. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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