athwart 1 of 2

adverb

Definition of athwartnext
1
as in through
from one side to the other of an intervening space after it enters the Gulf of Mexico, the hurricane is predicted to advance athwart to the Texas coastline

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in diagonally
in a line or direction running from corner to corner we hung the twisted strips of crepe paper athwart to the floor and ceiling so that they formed giant crosses on all four walls

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

athwart

2 of 2

preposition

ə-ˈthwȯrt How to pronounce athwart (audio)
as in across
to the opposite side of athwart the road was farmland as far as the eye could see

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 athwart
Preposition
An obstructionist Supreme Court, however, stood athwart the New Deal’s path. — John Fabian Witt, The New Republic, 26 Aug. 2022 One of the world’s largest container ships was wedged athwart the Suez Canal on March 23rd, blown off course by high winds. — The Economist, 27 Mar. 2021 Her mother, feeling abandoned by her constantly traveling husband, had affairs; her father’s heartfelt liberalism would run athwart of the postwar Red Scare. — Elsa Dixler, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Apr. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for athwart
  1. through
  2. diagonally
  3. across
  4. over
  5. around
Adverb
  • Each round of in vitro fertilization, or IVF, is timed to a menstrual cycle, and doctors sometimes stop a round partway through, such as when the ovaries don’t respond as expected to medication.
    — Katherine Pukinskis, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The boys frolic in the sand, playfully wrestle with each other, and drive an orange camper van; some young women join the fun midway through, running across the dunes alongside the group.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of through
Adverb
  • In van Gogh’s painting, the moon is positioned in the top right corner, diagonally above Venus, which is center left, with other stars positioned left of the moon.
    — Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Trim the crust from the brioche slices and cut them diagonally into 2 triangles.
    — Candy Hom, AJC.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of diagonally
Preposition
  • Leaders from across Latin America largely congratulated Lula's historic win.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The agreement establishes Pafford as the exclusive advanced life support ground transport provider across an emergency operating district covering Highfill, Cave Springs, Decatur, Gentry and unincorporated Benton County.
    — Randy Moll, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of across
Adverb
  • The honeymoon phase seems over, and Cowboys Nation's frustration isn't going unnoticed.
    — Briana Aldridge, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Hubbard notched over 100 rushing yards after contact against the Philadelphia Eagles this past weekend.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of over
Preposition
  • Infection signs around the nose, mouth, ears, eyes or genital areas also warrant attention, the agency added.
    — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Canada doubled down on its historic 24-21 win in Toronto last week with sustained defensive pressure and a withering three-try burst in nine minutes around the hour mark.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of around

Browse Nearby Words

a throw
athwart
atilt
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Athwart.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/athwart. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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