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