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
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
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
The software update is basically thumbing their noses at the ITC ruling.
—PC Magazine, 11 Feb. 2025
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
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
The software update is basically thumbing their noses at the ITC ruling.
—PC Magazine, 11 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thumbing
Verb
-
Several Vanderpump Rules alumni aren't hitching their wagons to The Valley.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
15 Nov. 2025
-
Getting stuck in some remote native village for 36 days while hitching rides.—
Corky Carroll,
Oc Register,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
On the other side of the aisle, a crowded field of Democratic candidates has already emerged in the hope of flipping the seat in the general election.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Feb. 2026
-
In down-ballot state races, the shifts have been even wider, with Democrats flipping eight state legislative seats across five states and Republicans flipping none.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The body-skimming jersey fabric will keep you cool and comfy, plus it's designed to withstand washing and drying.—
Cheryl Wagemann,
InStyle,
30 Jan. 2026
-
King beds, deep soaking tubs, rainfall showers, and Diptyque amenities add to the allure, while windows frame glimpses of sea turtles and kitesurfers skimming the water.—
Lauren Harano,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Thumbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thumbing. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
