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

Relevance

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 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 Robinhood elbowing out space in the IPO distribution game is both another potential revenue source for the company and a way to cultivate loyalty among its brokerage customers. — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2026 Rodón, meanwhile, is only two starts removed from the IL after suffering elbow inflammation. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for elbow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elbow
  1. push
  2. squeeze
  3. shoulder
Verb
  • Torrential rain has pushed all three waterways higher for days, spilling them over their banks in northeastern Argentina, southern Paraguay and western Uruguay.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Audit reports, supplier codes of conduct and corporate sustainability pledges have made up the bulk of brands’ efforts to push a more ecological and socially aware agenda, but times have changed.
    — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of push
Verb
  • But in recent years, the shows have become money losers and the network TV business — faced with a decline in viewers that is squeezing profits — are cutting them loose.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
  • However, rising costs for housing, food, fuel and insurance coupled with cooling employment rends and the lowest consumer sentiment in a decade is squeezing discretionary spending.
    — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of squeeze
Verb
  • With Baugh unable to find room to room and backup Duke Clark injured against South Carolina, Philo has been forced to shoulder more of the load.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Etienne can not only shoulder some of that but also provide a receiving spark when called upon.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of shoulder

Phrases Containing elbow

Browse Nearby Words

elations
elbow
elbowed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Elbow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elbow. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on elbow

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about elbow

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 16
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All