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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Another unique feature will be a hitching post area behind the building to have room for up to four Sheriff’s Mounted Patrol horses, Schwartz said.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Mar. 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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Barber started his college career at right tackle before flipping to left tackle in 2023.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
24 Mar. 2026
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There are signs, however, that the flipping market could improve this year, as home prices are expected to moderate further and mortgage rates remain below year-ago levels.—
Diana Olick,
CNBC,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As a result homeowners still need to perform daily manual skimming to remove floating debris like leaves, pollen, and insects.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Mar. 2026
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The action sequences, specifically those involving the spaceship skimming the upper atmosphere of a distant planet, are breathtaking in scope.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Thumbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thumbing. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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