Synonyms of athwart

athwart 1 of 2

adverb

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• through
• across
• over
• clear

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• diagonally
• across
• transversely
• on the diagonal
• obliquely
• crosswise
• on the bias
• crossways
• bias
• kitty-corner
• cornerwise
• cornerways

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• longitudinally
• lengthwise

athwart

2 of 2

preposition

ə-ˈthwȯrt 

as in across

to the opposite side of

athwart the road was farmland as far as the eye could see

Synonyms & Similar Words

• across
• over
• around
• through
• round
• beyond
• past

Example Sentences

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 23rd, blown off course by high winds. — The Economist, 27 Mar. 2021

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