thumbs

Definition of thumbsnext
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 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 Feldman, meanwhile, flashed a big smile and thumbs up to the camera. Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 23 Nov. 2025 Last Samurai Standing also got the all-important, and extremely coveted, Hideo Kojima thumbs up. Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 16 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thumbs
Verb
  • 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
Verb
  • If the umbrella flips or begins to blow with the wind, a grip will provide a secure hold that allows the user to operate the item with ease.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
  • New Haven’s Crown Street corridor flips the switch after dark, with Yale energy pouring into a compact downtown stacked with Irish pubs, dance spots, and late-night pizza joints that double as unofficial after-parties.
    Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 1 Apr. 2026
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

Cite this Entry

“Thumbs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thumbs. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

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