athwart 1 of 2

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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

athwart

2 of 2

preposition

as in across
to the opposite side of athwart the road was farmland as far as the eye could see

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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 24th, apparently blown off course by high winds. The Economist, 24 Mar. 2021 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 The outgoing Trump administration is standing athwart a massive investment management trend. Michael Taylor, ExpressNews.com, 2 Dec. 2020 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 Indeed, instead of ostentatious acts of helping people, the administration almost preferred being seen standing athwart attempts to provide relief. Alex Pareene, The New Republic, 20 Dec. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for athwart
Adverb
  • In The Apprentice’s debut season, Donald Trump was the show’s unflappable centerpiece: assigning tasks at the top of each episode, dispensing business advice midway through, and ultimately delivering his signature dismissal to one unlucky contestant.
    Dawn Klavon, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Players create a character and have a main storyline to progress through, along with a huge variety of side quests that allow each player to have a unique experience.
    Carlie Procell, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
Adverb
  • Here, the stalks are diagonally cut into bite-sized pieces and then cooked hot and fast, gently blistered, in a skillet with oil and salt.
    Gretchen McKay, Twin Cities, 23 Apr. 2025
  • At his best, Watkins will have minimal hesitation, driving diagonally towards the goal before shimmying, producing one stepover and backing himself to hit the roof of the net with his weaker left foot.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Preposition
  • While Turkey certainly has some of the biggest savings and best results across many clinics, it should be noted that not all providers are commendable.
    Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
  • The company added nearly 2 million first-time PayPal and Venmo debit card users during the quarter, and total debit card payment volume across PayPal and Venmo climbed more than 60%.
    MacKenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 29 Apr. 2025
Adverb
  • The dominance of fossil fuels in the power system is over.
    María Mendiluce, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Brighton & Hove Albion’s hopes of reaching Europe are over.
    Andy Naylor, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025
Preposition
  • Pope Francis, who died Monday at 88 years old, is due to be laid to rest in the days ahead following a Saturday funeral service sure to draw leaders from around the world.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • This is all happening while people around the country experience unprecedented and unpredictable weather patterns — from alarming infernos in California to startling floods in North Carolina.
    Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Athwart.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/athwart. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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