P. J. O'Rourke

The prevalence of mobile homes does not correspond with the prevalence of poverty, or with much of anything else. All that can be confidently said about America's mobile homes is that they are massed in places where you wouldn't want to be in one. Florida's mobile homes lie athwart the path of hurricanes. Georgia's are in the way of tornadoes.

American Comedian

Angela McGlowan

Standing athwart ineffective, feel-good legislation shouting, 'Stop!' is seen as a betrayal of those struggling to get their footing on the lowest rung of the economic ladder. Yet raising the minimum wage hacks the lowest rungs off the ladder altogether. But economic logic doesn't wash with liberals who are intent on inflaming class warfare.

American Author

Simon Schama

I would want the British reader to feel that religion in America isn't an absurd thing - a sign of a pin head athwart a gigantic body.

British Historian

William F. Buckley, Jr.

A Conservative is a fellow who is standing athwart history yelling 'Stop!

American Journalist

Indicates physical position traversing an object with clear boundaries on each side.

Spatial Orientation

Unlike 'along', 'athwart' implies crossing, not parallel to the object's longest side.

Not Alongside

Often used to describe something that impedes or obstructs by lying across a space or path.

Physical Barrier

Expresses actions or situations that are directly opposed to another, especially in conflict.

Figurative Conflict

'Go' and 'run' are often paired with 'athwart' to describe an opposition in actions or events.

Frequent Pairings

Carries a connotation of disruption or inconvenience when used in a figurative sense.

Sense of Disruption

Used to describe someone or something positioned in a transverse manner, often casually.

Physical Position

May imply a deliberate or relaxed posture when describing how a person is lying or sitting.

Body Posture

Can be a literal way to express obstruction, implying something is physically in the way.

Athwart

Spatial Orientation

Not Alongside

Physical Barrier

Compare with

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