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
Relevance
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
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 thumbing
Today, Lone Star state legislators are thumbing their noses at the longstanding political norm, followed by every other state, of waiting until the next census before redrawing their congressional districts.
—
Mercury News Editorial, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2025
Mercury News Editorial, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thumbing
Verb
-
In the new Regensdorf trial, RIVR ONE robots will be hitching rides in Swiss Post delivery vans, then carrying select Swiss Post parcels and Migros Online grocery deliveries from those vans to clients' doorsteps.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
3 Sep. 2025
-
But Amazon must be doing something right if even Peacock sees the value of hitching its wagon to the big guy.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Espada attempted to alter the malaise Tuesday, flipping Correa and Jose Altuve in the batting order.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Cook, flipping occasionally, until deeply golden brown and crispy all over, 4 to 5 minutes, adjusting heat as needed to prevent overbrowning.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Equally rugged adventure possibilities come via adventure packages offered by local outfitters that put you straight on the river or skimming over the canopy with no need for additional planning.—
The Editors,
Outside,
31 Aug. 2025
-
Uranus retro here is like the teacher who pushes you to stop skimming the book and actually read it.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
31 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Thumbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thumbing. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share