Antonyms for thumb


Grammar : Noun, verb
Spell : thuhm
Phonetic Transcription : θʌm


Definition of thumb

Origin :
  • Old English þuma, from West Germanic *thumon- (cf. Old Frisian thuma, Old Saxon, Old High German thumo, German Daumen, Dutch duim "thumb," Old Norse þumall "thumb of a glove"), literally "the stout or thick (finger)," from PIE *tum- "swell" (cf. Latin tumere "to swell," tumidus "swollen;" Avestan tuma "fat;" see thigh). For spelling with -b (attested from late 13c.), see limb.
  • To be under (someone's) thumb "be totally controlled by that person" is recorded from 1580s. Thumbs up (1887) and thumbs down (1906) were said to be from expressions of approval or the opposite in ancient amphitheaters, especially gladiator shows, where the gesture decided whether a defeated combatant was spared or slain. But the Roman gesture was merely one of hiding the thumb in the hand or extending it. Perhaps the modern gesture is from the usual coachmen's way of greeting while the hands are occupied with the reins.
  • As in digit : noun small appendage of animate being
  • As in finger : noun appendage of hand
  • As in approach : verb make request, suggestion
  • As in leaf : verb flip through
  • As in manipulate : verb maneuver, handle physically
  • As in touch : verb make physical contact
  • As in hitchhike : verb take a lift
  • As in palpate : verb touch
  • As in riffle : verb browse
  • As in feel : verb touch, stroke
  • As in finger : verb touch lightly
  • As in handle : verb touch
Example sentences :
  • He's under that woman's thumb, of course, and she's told him he mustn't say a word.
  • Extract from : « Within the Law » by Marvin Dana
  • The boy pointed with his thumb to the door of the cashier's office.
  • Extract from : « Thoroughbreds » by W. A. Fraser
  • By the awkwardness of the unpacker, the statue's thumb was broken.
  • Extract from : « Tales And Novels, Volume 4 (of 10) » by Maria Edgeworth
  • "All gettee out," he said, jerking his thumb in the direction of the court of mystery.
  • Extract from : « The Monster Men » by Edgar Rice Burroughs
  • She keeps Jenkins under her thumb, just as Galloway keeps me.
  • Extract from : « The Channings » by Mrs. Henry Wood
  • At length he asked, as he pointed his thumb towards the road.
  • Extract from : « Life And Adventures Of Martin Chuzzlewit » by Charles Dickens
  • The girl listlessly ran the leaves of the book past the edge of her thumb.
  • Extract from : « One Day's Courtship » by Robert Barr
  • Wat's thumb was raised to his nose in an immemorial gesture.
  • Extract from : « Slaves of Mercury » by Nat Schachner
  • The dog-musher indicated White Fang with a backward thrust of his thumb.
  • Extract from : « White Fang » by Jack London
  • He indicated the third person by a downward thrust of the thumb to the box on which they sat.
  • Extract from : « White Fang » by Jack London

Synonyms for thumb

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019