thumb

verb

Definition of thumbnext
1
as in to hitch
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 to flip
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 thumb 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 Apple Watch users will also be able to tap their index finger and thumb together once to select a widget in the Smart Stack of the watch to see relevant information, per Apple. — Mason Leath, ABC News, 8 June 2026 His faith becomes tested by his burgeoning relationship with Lilith (Skye Alyssa Friedman), a classmate who takes every opportunity to thumb her nose at the confines of religion. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 2 July 2026 James Ontiveros, ninth-generation grower and owner of Native 9, holds out his right hand, thumb down, to explain the topography of Santa Barbara County. — Michelle Williams, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for thumb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thumb
  1. hitch
  2. flip
  3. bum
  4. leaf
  5. hitchhike
  6. skim
Verb
  • But when her big bro Sherlock (Henry Cavill) goes missing during the festivities, Enola pauses getting hitched to find him and also unearth a military cover-up.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • At the most basic level, a prenup is a contract would-be spouses sign before getting hitched.
    — Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 1 July 2026
Definition of hitch
Verb
  • 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
  • Ahead of last year’s trade deadline, the Giants flipped Rogers to the New York Mets in exchange for outfielder Drew Gilbert and right-hander Blade Tidwell.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
Definition of flip
Verb
  • Great, for once the Leafs won’t bum me out!
    — Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 26 June 2026
  • Some were drawn first to the language and its interna ideo, only to later realize the travel benefits involved; others had learned the language specifically to bum around.
    — Katie Thornton, Harpers Magazine, 26 May 2026
Definition of bum
Verb
  • Planting a leafed-out, growing hosta from a pot is identical to any other transplanting process.
    — Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 29 June 2026
  • Twelve-hundred years passed in the shade of the Major Oak of Sherwood Forest before it was declared dead after failing to come to leaf.
    — Karina Zaiets, USA Today, 19 June 2026
Definition of leaf
Verb
  • Dreesen moved to Los Angeles, living on $1 a day and hitchhiking to The Comedy Store, begging for a set and bonding with other impoverished comedians.
    — Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 18 June 2026
  • The two traveled to Chippewa County, Michigan, and hitchhiked to Kincheloe once the car broke down, officials said.
    — Nick Lentz, CBS News, 14 June 2026
Definition of hitchhike
Verb
  • The cropped length and elbow-skimming sleeves keep things cool while brown buttons add visual interest.
    — Claire West, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026
  • Once devoted to chin-skimming cuts, Hadid has spent the last year growing out her hair.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 3 July 2026
Definition of skim

Phrases Containing thumb

Browse Nearby Words

thugs
thumb
thumbed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Thumb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thumb. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on thumb

Nglish: Translation of thumb for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about thumb

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