thumbed

past tense of thumb
1
as in hitched
to travel by securing free rides thought I'd thumb into town instead of paying for a cab

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in flipped
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 thumbed In short, Moscow sees Montenegro as both strategically valuable and an impudent upstart that has thumbed its nose at the Russian bear while genuflecting before NATO and Washington. Edward P. Joseph, Foreign Affairs, 22 Dec. 2016
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thumbed
Verb
  • The wagon, which was hitched to two horses, left the road and all eight passengers on board were ejected, authorities said.
    Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
  • The couple has been married for over eight years now, since getting hitched in July 2016.
    Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 26 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • However, GenZers, born after 1997, have flipped the switch and feel nostalgic for an analog world that predates their lifespan.
    Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • But that flipped back in 2024, when 12% of Republicans used mail-in ballots compared with 9% of Democrats.
    Carlie Procell, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The all-star winger then blasted a low shot that skimmed across the PayPal Park grass and went mere inches wide left of the goal.
    Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2025
  • Burkhart executed and skimmed money via sham contracts and business deals.
    Alexandria Burris, IndyStar, 13 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Thumbed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thumbed. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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