as in struggle
a forceful effort to reach a goal or objective
that third-world country is caught up in the throes of a democratic revolution
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Recent Examples of throes
On February 24, 2022, Vladimir Putin’s armies seized Chornobyl in the opening throes of their invasion of Ukraine.
—
Benjamin MacK-Jackson, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026
Most of his videos, filmed in a local studio or sometimes on the streets of Charlotte, are high-quality shorts showing him in throes of battle with classic villains like Killer Croc or Bane.
—Charlotte Observer, 29 Apr. 2026
That distinction fell to the Phillies who went into the weekend in the throes of a 10-game losing streak.
—Bill Madden, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
And in 2021, in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, a whopping 85% failed to beat the market.
—Terry Savage, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026
But Ashley and Austin, bless their hearts, would live in the throes of a careless spring, with mismatched furniture and super casual pastel curtains.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 20 Apr. 2026
In this telling, Richards, deep in the throes of heroin addiction, somehow managed to come up with one indelible riff after another built around his signature open G tuning — taught to him by Ry Cooder — leading the band to create one of the best albums in rock history.
—Marc Ballon, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
In its final throes, the company sold off its intellectual property and other assets for a measly $39 million mere weeks ago, leaving its once lofty $4 billion market cap five years ago long behind.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 16 Apr. 2026
Hosts Newcastle United had 10 men for the whole of the second half but somehow pinched a 2-1 win in the final throes of the contest.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Benjamin MacK-Jackson, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026
Most of his videos, filmed in a local studio or sometimes on the streets of Charlotte, are high-quality shorts showing him in throes of battle with classic villains like Killer Croc or Bane.
—Charlotte Observer, 29 Apr. 2026
That distinction fell to the Phillies who went into the weekend in the throes of a 10-game losing streak.
—Bill Madden, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
And in 2021, in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, a whopping 85% failed to beat the market.
—Terry Savage, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026
But Ashley and Austin, bless their hearts, would live in the throes of a careless spring, with mismatched furniture and super casual pastel curtains.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 20 Apr. 2026
In this telling, Richards, deep in the throes of heroin addiction, somehow managed to come up with one indelible riff after another built around his signature open G tuning — taught to him by Ry Cooder — leading the band to create one of the best albums in rock history.
—Marc Ballon, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
In its final throes, the company sold off its intellectual property and other assets for a measly $39 million mere weeks ago, leaving its once lofty $4 billion market cap five years ago long behind.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 16 Apr. 2026
Hosts Newcastle United had 10 men for the whole of the second half but somehow pinched a 2-1 win in the final throes of the contest.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for throes
Noun
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Plenty of Sellers’ struggles could be pinned on offensive play calling and a lack of polished talent around him.—
Nick Baumgardner,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Water Tower Place is about to get a complete $170 million makeover, a big step toward its recovery after years of financial struggle and the loss of several major tenants.—
Brian J. Rogal,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Voters will probably be bombarded with political ads and arguments from opposing sides as the battle intensifies.—
Queenie Wong,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
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The Koh-i-Noor then spent 70 years in Afghanistan, where it was passed around by leaders who won bloody battles against one another.—
Doha Madani,
NBC news,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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At one point, the crew shot a scene in which Whalen’s character joins a bar fight, shouting invectives at a hapless extra before pummelling him to the ground.—
Chang Che,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
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Denver police on Thursday arrested a 28-year-old man who investigators said shot and killed another man in a fight near South Broadway and West Maple Avenue, department officials said in a news release.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Still, the hotel is trying to stay above the fray.—
Aaron Leibowitz,
Miami Herald,
28 Apr. 2026
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Due to his bloodline and the role of the monarchy in British life, Charles rises above the fray of Britain’s increasingly bitter politics.—
Daniel DePetris,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Jessica Chmielewski, Colleen Gartlan and Ella Riordan led a strong defensive effort in front of Noone.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
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The effort will focus on solutions that can be adapted elsewhere in the world, such as sustainable finance, digital innovation and workforce development.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Throes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/throes. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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