through

Fetched 2026-10-27 (live).

Synonyms: thorough, trough, though

Antonyms: thorough, trough, though

Related words from Datamuse; suggestions, not definitions.

Preposition

1. From one side or end of (something) to the other. So as to enter (something), pass within or across, and then leave.
   • I drove through Lausanne on my way from Geneva to Zurich.
   • The bullet went right through his leg.
   • The virus broke out in the capital city and is now spreading quickly through the country.
   • I'm working through this box set of the TV series 'Downton Abbey'.
   • They forced a path through the jungle.
   • Go straight ahead and through that door.
   • Look through the window.
   • I hope to start in the autumn, but I've got to get through the interview first.
   • The finance bill did not get through Congress.
   • We're through the worst part.
   • The going will be easier once we're through the bog.
   • You can't see through a brick wall!
   • Have you got through all those chocolates already?!
   • The company went through its £100m startup investment in six months.
   • We're halfway through the year.
   • He worked through the night.
   • I never want to sit through another meeting like that again.
2. So as to enter (something), pass within or across, and then leave.
   • I drove through Lausanne on my way from Geneva to Zurich.
   • The bullet went right through his leg.
3. So as to progress within (something) or towards the end or limit of (something).
   • The virus broke out in the capital city and is now spreading quickly through the country.
   • I'm working through this box set of the TV series 'Downton Abbey'.
   • They forced a path through the jungle.
4. From one side of (an opening) to the other.
   • Go straight ahead and through that door.
   • Look through the window.
5. To or beyond the other side of (an obstacle); past.
   • I hope to start in the autumn, but I've got to get through the interview first.
   • The finance bill did not get through Congress.
   • We're through the worst part.
   • The going will be easier once we're through the bog.
   • You can't see through a brick wall!
6. Indicating that something has been consumed or used up.
   • Have you got through all those chocolates already?!
   • The company went through its £100m startup investment in six months.
7. Along the course of; used in expressions of progress towards the end of something.
   • We're halfway through the year.
8. Throughout the duration of.
   • He worked through the night.
   • I never want to sit through another meeting like that again.
9. Via or by way of. By way of (a physical passage).
   • The hot water enters through this pipe.
   • I met her through a friend of mine.
   • This matter was dealt with through our London office.
   • I received this anonymous letter through the post.
10. By way of (a physical passage).
    • The hot water enters through this pipe.
11. By way of (an intermediary, agent, medium, etc.).
    • I met her through a friend of mine.
    • This matter was dealt with through our London office.
    • I received this anonymous letter through the post.
12. Throughout or across the extent of.
    • There are errors all through this report.
    • Work the eggs and sugar through the mixture.
13. Amidst or surrounded by (while moving).
    • We slogged through the mud for hours before turning back and giving up.
    • The arrow flew through the air.
    • I spent all day wading through paperwork.
14. To (or up to) and including, with all intermediate values; to... inclusive; until the end of.
    • from 1945 through 1991; the numbers 1 through 9; your membership is active through March 15, 2013
    • The plural is "oyesses", but "oyes" vied with "oyez" through about the first half of the nineteenth century.
15. By means of.
    • This team believes in winning through intimidation.
    • He's got to where he is today through sheer hard work and determination.
16. In consequence of; as a result of.
    • The project failed through lack of investment.

Adjective

1. Passing from one side of something to the other.
   • Interstate highways form a nationwide system of through roads.
2. Finished; complete.
   • They were through with laying the subroof by noon.
3. Along the course of a task etc.; used in expressions of progress towards the end.
   • It's a big job but we're halfway through.
4. Without a future; done for.
   • After being implicated in the scandal, he was through as an executive in financial services.
5. No longer interested; wearied or turned off by experience.
   • She was through with him.
6. Proceeding from origin to destination without the need to change transport vehicle.
   • The through flight through Memphis was the fastest.
   • When is the next through train to London?
7. Connected (to someone) by telephone.
   • You're through to the doctor now.
8. In possession of the ball beyond the last line of defence but not necessarily the goalkeeper; through on goal.
9. Able to progress (to the next stage or a higher level) following success in an exam, sports match, etc.
   • Manchester United are through to the FA Cup Final for the thirteenth time.

Adverb

1. From one side of something to the other. By way of the interior.
   • The arrow went straight through.
   • I didn't like the look of the place, so I drove through without stopping.
   • I opened the window and climbed through.
   • The road is blocked by an overturned truck, and cars can't pass through.
   • The American army broke through at Saint-Lô.
2. By way of the interior.
   • The arrow went straight through.
   • I didn't like the look of the place, so I drove through without stopping.
3. By way of an opening.
   • I opened the window and climbed through.
4. So as to overcome an obstacle and pass beyond it; past.
   • The road is blocked by an overturned truck, and cars can't pass through.
   • The American army broke through at Saint-Lô.
5. So as to pass a stage in a process and proceed to the next stage or level.
   • The bill will be tabled tomorrow, but I doubt that it will be voted through.
   • She progressed through to the final round of the competition.
6. From beginning to end, or from the present position to the end.
   • Others went to bed for the night; he worked straight through.
   • She read the letter through.
   • The baby cried the whole night through.
   • He said he would see it through.
7. Throughout something; all the way across or into something.
   • Leave the yarn in the dye overnight so the color soaks through.
8. So as to connect with or reach.
   • I had difficulty reaching the commander, but eventually my call was routed through.

Noun

1. A coffin, sarcophagus or tomb of stone; a large slab of stone laid on a tomb, or in a dry-stone wall from one side to the other; a perpend.

Source: Wiktionary · CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wiktionary) · cached copy, not a rewrite.