elbow

verb

Definition of elbownext
as in to push
to force one's way the sort of greedy person who is always the first to elbow to the front of the buffet table at every party

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of elbow Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, D-Winters, the bill’s author, said AB 1776 was needed to help small businesses that are being elbowed out by corporations. — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 30 Sep. 2026 Braves reliever Robert Suarez pitched for the first time since June 19 after being sidelined due to elbow inflammation. — ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026 Daniels dislocated his left (non-throwing) elbow in a loss to the Dallas Cowboys. — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026 Brighton’s task was eased by a 53rd-minute red card shown to Coventry striker Taiwo Awoniyi for elbowing Maxim De Cuyper in an aerial challenge. — Andy Naylor, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for elbow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elbow
  1. push
  2. squeeze
  3. shoulder
Verb
  • The Heat continued that surge in the third quarter, opening the second half on a 30-14 run to push its lead up to 23 points before entering the fourth quarter with a 21-point advantage.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2026
  • James, always an exacting rhythmic engineer, was now dividing the beat into fragments tiny enough to push at the very edge of rhythm itself.
    — Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of push
Verb
  • For hungry Southerners trying to squeeze a meal into their lunch breaks, that’s a major blunder.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Push through the soles of your feet and squeeze your glutes to drive your hips upward.
    — Jenessa Connor, HEALTH, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of squeeze
Verb
  • Families earning more than roughly $116,000 a year for a household of four generally don’t qualify for those subsidies, leaving middle-income families to shoulder the full cost of child care, even as monthly tuition rivals a mortgage payment.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Next year alone, CCH expects to lose $138 million in patient revenue and shoulder more than $100 million in new charity care costs.
    — A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of shoulder

Phrases Containing elbow

Browse Nearby Words

elations
elbow
elbowed
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Cite this Entry

“Elbow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elbow. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on elbow

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about elbow

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