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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of thumbing
Val Kilmer’s performance as this trickster poet forever thumbing his nose at reality embodies the movie’s tensions.
—
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2026
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
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thumbing
Verb
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The developmental vehicle returned to Earth empty, while its crew remained behind at the orbital outpost before hitching a ride home in March 2025 with Boeing's SpaceX competitor.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
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More urgent and concerning is the possibility of winter ticks hitching a ride on mule deer that migrate into Alaska.—
Natalie Krebs,
Outdoor Life,
3 June 2026
Verb
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The best Survivor 50 moment has to be Devens in his pure boyhood joy flipping MrBeast's coin.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 June 2026
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Kean is one of dozens of House Republicans Democrats are targeting in hopes of flipping control of the chamber.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
3 June 2026
Verb
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The 11-acre site also offers a front-row view of windsurfers and wingfoilers skimming across Howe Sound, with paved paths and grassy areas that invite a picnic by the water.—
Vivian Chung,
Travel + Leisure,
7 June 2026
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Platja de Son Bou, Menorca Menorca's longest beach provides a broad, accessible platform for a very low, horizon-skimming eclipse moments before sunset.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Thumbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thumbing. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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