THUMBING Synonyms: 18 Similar and Opposite Words

thumbing

verb

present participle of thumb

as in hitching

to travel by securing free rides thought I'd thumb into town instead of paying for a cab

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 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 thumbing British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is handing Ukraine the blueprints to a valuable piece of his country’s military technology, thumbing his nose at a Kremlin that says the United Kingdom is now a party in the conflict. — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 24 Aug. 2026 Hawkins, by contrast, almost seems to be thumbing his nose at the whole concept of existing as a complex, nuanced human being. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 16 July 2026 In one scene, a pair of revellers dance naked just outside the fence of the Calvary Cemetery, thumbing their noses at the reaper while the Manhattan skyline towers in the distance. — Chris Wiley, New Yorker, 4 July 2026 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 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 The software update is basically thumbing their noses at the ITC ruling. — PC Magazine, 11 Feb. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for thumbing

Verb

Others rented bicycles to pedal around the 8-mile island loop, pausing to climb the stairs to Arch Rock, shop for fudge, and relax over a drink at Pink Pony before hitching the last tender back to the ship.

— Hannah Agran, Midwest Living, 12 Aug. 2026
Like Tubbs, Ferguson was new to the city, having only recently settled there after the better part of a year spent hitching trains with his pregnant girlfriend.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026

Definition of hitching

Verb

In one example, it's seen flipping pages of sheet music on a stand as a guitarist plays the score.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Aug. 2026
Gruters specifically predicted victories for Republican Senate candidates in Ohio, Maine, and Texas, where Democrats are eyeing flipping longtime Republican seats.

— Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of flipping

Verb

Investigators are also asking anyone who recognizes the second suspect, has surveillance footage or believes a skimming device may have been placed at their business to contact Bristol Borough police.

— Ross DiMattei, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
This card skimming scam is especially serious for people who rely on Electronic Benefit Transfer, or EBT, cards.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026