Athwart
preposition
From one side to another side of something.
The band plays while sitting athwart the park’s central fountain.
Often appears as...
- sit athwart
- run athwart
adverb
In opposition to, contrary.
His actions went athwart the law.
Often appears as...
- go athwart
- act athwart
adverb
Crossways, in a position of straddling.
He lay athwart on the couch.
Often appears as...
- lie athwart
- place athwart
preposition
From one side to another side of something.
The band plays while sitting athwart the park’s central fountain.
Often appears as...
- sit athwart
- run athwart
adverb
In opposition to, contrary.
His actions went athwart the law.
Often appears as...
- go athwart
- act athwart
adverb
Crossways, in a position of straddling.
He lay athwart on the couch.
Often appears as...
- lie athwart
- place athwart
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Spatial Orientation
Indicates physical position traversing an object with clear boundaries on each side.
The rope was stretched athwart the path.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Alongside
Unlike 'along', 'athwart' implies crossing, not parallel to the object's longest side.
The shadows fell athwart the street, not along it.
Pro Tip 3/3Physical Barrier
Often used to describe something that impedes or obstructs by lying across a space or path.
Trees fallen athwart the road blocked traffic.
Pro Tip 1/3Spatial Orientation
Indicates physical position traversing an object with clear boundaries on each side.
The rope was stretched athwart the path.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Alongside
Unlike 'along', 'athwart' implies crossing, not parallel to the object's longest side.
The shadows fell athwart the street, not along it.
Pro Tip 3/3Physical Barrier
Often used to describe something that impedes or obstructs by lying across a space or path.
Trees fallen athwart the road blocked traffic.
Pro Tip 1/3Spatial Orientation
Indicates physical position traversing an object with clear boundaries on each side.
The rope was stretched athwart the path.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Alongside
Unlike 'along', 'athwart' implies crossing, not parallel to the object's longest side.
The shadows fell athwart the street, not along it.
Pro Tip 3/3Physical Barrier
Often used to describe something that impedes or obstructs by lying across a space or path.
Trees fallen athwart the road blocked traffic.
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Quote examples
P. J. O'Rourke
American Comedian
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.
Quote examples
Angela McGlowan
American Author
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.
Quote examples
Simon Schama
British Historian
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.
Quote examples
William F. Buckley, Jr.
American Journalist
A Conservative is a fellow who is standing athwart history yelling 'Stop!
Quote examples
P. J. O'Rourke
American Comedian
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.
Quote examples
Angela McGlowan
American Author
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.
Quote examples
Simon Schama
British Historian
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.
Quote examples
William F. Buckley, Jr.
American Journalist
A Conservative is a fellow who is standing athwart history yelling 'Stop!
Example 1 of 4
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