1
as in hitching
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 flipping
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
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Recent Examples of thumbing
For months, this young, rambunctious, and altogether infectious bunch played with house money, thumbing their collective noses at the idea of another year of rebuild futility.
—
Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2026
Why did Lucas take the note from De Palma while thumbing his nose at studio suggestions?
—Michael O’Donnell, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
He was criticized for seemingly thumbing his nose at the NFL’s Rooney Rule and only interviewing four candidates before selecting Vrabel.
—Chad Graff, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Israel, a small nation dependent on our country for military support, is thumbing its nose at us, the most powerful country in the world.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 17 Sep. 2025
The software update is basically thumbing their noses at the ITC ruling.
—PC Magazine, 11 Feb. 2025
Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2026
Why did Lucas take the note from De Palma while thumbing his nose at studio suggestions?
—Michael O’Donnell, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
He was criticized for seemingly thumbing his nose at the NFL’s Rooney Rule and only interviewing four candidates before selecting Vrabel.
—Chad Graff, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Israel, a small nation dependent on our country for military support, is thumbing its nose at us, the most powerful country in the world.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 17 Sep. 2025
The software update is basically thumbing their noses at the ITC ruling.
—PC Magazine, 11 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thumbing
Verb
-
Unlike the city of Poway, which favors hitching posts over parking meters, San Diego has elected to ignore all rational analyses of parking fee options, in favor of looking at parking as a cash cow.—
Harvey Levine,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
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Several Vanderpump Rules alumni aren't hitching their wagons to The Valley.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
15 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Broil until the chicken is lightly browned and cooked through (an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center of the meat away from the metal skewer should read at least 165 degrees), flipping once, about 6 minutes per side.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Mar. 2026
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To secure a majority, Democrats would need to defend seats in a handful of competitive states, while flipping four seats — with North Carolina at the top of the list.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Her floor-skimming train shone like a thousand tiny diamonds, with champagne and silver sequins festooning every inch.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The jaw-length bob The A-line shape of a jaw-skimming bob ensures the ends look voluminous.—
Fiona Embleton,
Glamour,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Thumbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thumbing. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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