Synonyms of thumb

thumb

verb

1

as in to hitch

to travel by securing free rides

thought I'd thumb into town instead of paying for a cab

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hitch
• bum
• hitchhike
• stow away
• hijack
• carjack

2

as in to flip

to turn over pages in an idle or cursory manner

I thumbed through the book during the flight but was too distracted to really read it

Synonyms & Similar Words

• flip
• leaf
• skim
• riffle
• scan
• look over
• browse
• glance (at)
• dip

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• study
• pore (over)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of thumb

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is handing Ukraine the blueprints to a valuable piece of his country’s military technology, thumbing his nose at a Kremlin that says the United Kingdom is now a party in the conflict. — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 24 Aug. 2026

Orion gave a smirk and thumbs up to the camera while Keats made a funny face and stuck his tongue out. — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 19 Aug. 2026

Hawkins, by contrast, almost seems to be thumbing his nose at the whole concept of existing as a complex, nuanced human being. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 16 July 2026

In one scene, a pair of revellers dance naked just outside the fence of the Calvary Cemetery, thumbing their noses at the reaper while the Manhattan skyline towers in the distance. — Chris Wiley, New Yorker, 4 July 2026

Phrases Containing thumb

• Tom Thumb
• thumb one's nose (at)

Video

When Body Parts Are Also Verbs

Editor Peter Sokolowski breaks down a number of body parts with metaphorical uses as verbs, from head to toe.

Transcript:

Many parts of the body can be used as verbs in either a physical or a metaphorical sense. You can head a company, but if things go wrong you'll have to shoulder the blame, or face your investors. A good leader backs their employees, but if you don't toe the line you might get skinned. Did you muscle your way into that job? You might eye someone suspiciously, or wait for the police to finger a suspect. But if you need to get out of town, try thumbing a ride. You can ride with me if you can stomach the thought. I don't always sing along to the radio, but you might see me mouthing the words.