thumb
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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A common rule of thumb is to keep that ratio below 30%, meaning your balance stays under 30% of your available credit.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 19, 2026
Once everything is in place, Gardner tests the fire — there are buttons he presses with each thumb to ignite the flame.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026
Global expansion could be the ultimate test of A7’s ability to thumb its nose at Western financial gatekeepers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 8, 2026
If you feel compelled to comment on a famous woman’s body, a good rule of thumb to remember is “don’t.”
From Slate ● Aug. 6, 2026
Next to me, Patch was asleep now, his thumb in his mouth.
From "Nory Ryan’s Song" by Patricia Reilly Giff
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As he walked in to court, he refused to answer questions but gave a thumbs up and said: "Wish me luck guys. See you soon, hopefully."
From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026
How have they built entire cities and extensive infrastructure with no thumbs?
From Salon ● Jun. 6, 2026
According to the Associated Press, Bryant flashed a thumbs up to a person in the courtroom before leaving.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 27, 2026
As one former senior official says: "Vetting is a process, not a point, it's not like a test you pass or fail - it's about managing risk, not big thumbs up or down."
From BBC ● Apr. 18, 2026
Well, I’ve faced the matinee crowds on the West End and lived to tell about it, but I’m all thumbs in the kitchen.
From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood
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He has largely thumbed his nose at them over the Epstein files.
From Salon ● Mar. 29, 2026
In October, I thumbed through snapshots my mother had stashed in albums, envelopes and shoeboxes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 4, 2025
To ready her body, she ordered in Japanese last night, then had somebody administer an IV vitamin drip as she thumbed through an issue of the New Yorker.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2025
Most do not put their content online; this is journalism meant to be thumbed through, not swiped past.
From New York Times ● Jun. 16, 2024
Nearly every Sunday afternoon that year, I thumbed rides to War to visit Dorothy for study sessions.
From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam
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If you are thumbing through the brochure/paperwork, it will be there in black and white.
From MarketWatch ● Mar. 24, 2026
And arm yourself with simple pantry staples that you can graze on lazily, ideally while peeling a clementine and thumbing a paperback.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 8, 2026
Just after thumbing through a copy, he immediately tries to shred the entire document.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 16, 2025
He points out that engineers are no different from the rest of us when it comes to thumbing through a manual.
From BBC ● Aug. 7, 2024
Daisy wet her thumb on her tongue and started thumbing through the pages.
From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls
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Vocabulary lists containing thumb
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Lesson 16
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