THUMBING Synonyms: 18 Similar and Opposite Words

thumbing

verb

present participle of thumb

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

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 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 That’s sacrilege on par with an Ohioan disowning football or a Texan recoiling at the smell of brisket, a Kentuckian thumbing his nose at college basketball. — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 2 July 2026 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 The software update is basically thumbing their noses at the ITC ruling. — PC Magazine, 11 Feb. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for thumbing

Verb

The union called on the city to add hitching posts to the park where unattended horses can be secured.

— Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 22 June 2026
The union also backed a separate City Council bill that only has eight sponsors, which would make several changes to horse carriage regulations, including more training and hitching posts in the park to tether the horses.

— Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 19 June 2026

Definition of hitching

Verb

In polling Platner’s campaign conducted Tuesday to see which possible replacement candidate has the best chance of flipping the Senate seat in November, Jackson performed best, according to Politico.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 8 July 2026
In the end, Seattle outmaneuvered and outbodied the Sparks, snatching steals and flipping the ball around the perimeter until the Storm fired off a shot.

— Liana Handler, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026

Definition of flipping

Verb

Consumers can help protect themselves from skimming by inspecting card readers before use, covering the keypad when entering a PIN, monitoring account activity regularly, and promptly reporting suspicious transactions to their financial institution.

— Mary Ella Hastings July 9, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 July 2026
The cropped length and elbow-skimming sleeves keep things cool while brown buttons add visual interest.

— Claire West, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026