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
  • Camp personnel were safely evacuated and there were no campers on site when the fire swept through, Scouting America Longhorn Council officials said in an online update.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Many communities like Gary have been in the dark for almost two weeks since the devastating derecho tore through.
    — Marissa Sulek, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of through
Adverb
  • Most importantly Do sandwiches taste different when cut crosswise or diagonally?
    — Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The site is just diagonally south from Walmart and Lowe’s, just on the other side of I-95.
    — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of diagonally
Preposition
  • That change was introduced to help give club staff working across transfer departments a more normal working pattern.
    — Leon Imber, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • This mirrors the national trend, where increasingly more people across the nation arrested by ICE have no criminal charges.
    — Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of across
Adverb
  • Chelsea imposed a deadline for a £120m offer just over a week ago.
    — The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The Chargers’ backup quarterback competition is over — for now.
    — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of over
Preposition
  • Assertive Mars clashes with your ruler Saturn, highlighting tension around your home, family, or the amount of emotional labor each person carries.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 1 Sep. 2026
  • On the left, Harvey Barnes is currently first-choice, while Newcastle agreed a deal potentially rising to around £50million for Bazoumana Toure in July.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of around

Browse Nearby Words

a throw
athwart
atilt
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Cite this Entry

“Athwart.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/athwart. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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