thumbs

verb

present tense third-person singular of thumb
1
as in hitches
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 flips
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 thumbs Feldman, meanwhile, flashed a big smile and thumbs up to the camera. — Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 23 Nov. 2025 The video player page includes a description, links to similar content, and the ability to give a film a thumbs up or thumbs down. — PC Magazine, 4 Oct. 2025 There was a phone book, camera film canisters, metal pins, the tattered remains of a baseball cap and an orange t-shirt with the outline of a giant thumbs up. — Rylan Digiacomo-Rapp, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 June 2026 Unfortunately, that’s the only real recourse the public has with a Congress that still gleefully thumbs its nose at the laws and rules that apply to others. — Douglas MacKinnon, Washington Post, 1 Apr. 2026 As things progressed, sources say the studio brought in Reeves’ Toy Story 4 director to pitch his vision, which eventually led to Reeves thumbs up to star in the film. — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 22 June 2026 Last Samurai Standing also got the all-important, and extremely coveted, Hideo Kojima thumbs up. — Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 16 Nov. 2025 Cillian Murphy Oscar-winning actor Cillian Murphy also makes an appearance as the spokesmodel for Opalite, appearing on a billboard with a bright smile and thumbs up. — Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thumbs
  1. hitches
  2. flips
  3. bums
Verb
  • Following her character’s breakup with a cowboy (played by Luke Grimes), Langley hitches a ride back to Tennessee with a sage country singer who’s already seen it all (Miranda Lambert).
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Piecemeal progress As Scott hitches his legacy to trying to eradicate the thousands of vacant homes that have blighted the city for decades, the contrast between the two neighborhoods may be the biggest hurdle.
    — Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 13 Dec. 2025
Definition of hitches
Verb
  • In recognition of Miami’s 20 wins in June, here are 20 stats that helped define the team’s uber-successful month as the calendar now flips to July.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
  • Pele controls the ball in the penalty area with his thigh, flips it over the head of the defender and smashes it past a helpless Kalle Svensson.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
Definition of flips
Verb
  • Critical thinking really bums them out.
    — Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Then Jason and Thor shower together, each lathering the other’s back and bums up with fewer orgasms than an old Herbal Essences commercial.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2026
Definition of bums

Phrases Containing thumbs

Browse Nearby Words

thumb one's nose (at)
thumbs
thumbs-down
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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on thumbs

Nglish: Translation of thumbs for Spanish Speakers

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