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 Identifying Termites Subterranean termites have thicker bodies than carpenter ants, no waistline, and their antennae are not elbowed. — Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 15 June 2026 Facing unrelenting physicality in the Western Conference semifinals, Wembanyama earned a flagrant 2 foul and an automatic ejection for elbowing Minnesota’s Naz Reid in the neck. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 14 June 2026 Tom Cruise sat elbow to elbow with David Beckham; UCLA and Los Angeles Lakers star Kareem Abdul Jabbar got a rousing ovation and Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart was lustily booed. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 13 June 2026 When not elbow-deep in dino dung or outrunning raptors, Laura Dern's heartfelt performance in Jurassic Park shows why women really deserve to inherit the Earth — and all of the acting awards. — Huntley Woods, Entertainment Weekly, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for elbow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elbow
  1. push
  2. squeeze
  3. shoulder
Verb
  • Handing the survivor her jewelry and hearing her story a few days later gave Dondi and her team of volunteers a reassuring nudge to push forward with their work.
    — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • Normally, the onshore flow — a west-to-southwest wind that creates the ocean breeze and pushes air away from the coasts — would push the particulate matter with it.
    — Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of push
Verb
  • The result is a new generation of patients planning trips around treatments rather than squeezing appointments into an existing vacation.
    — Meggen Harris, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026
  • With inflation squeezing their margins and rideshare platforms demanding a large share of their earnings, a driver’s split-second decision to accept a fare is a high-stakes calculation of business survival.
    — Christopher S. Tang, The Conversation, 8 July 2026
Definition of squeeze
Verb
  • But experts say the costs of the fertilizer shortage will be largely shouldered by farmers.
    — Joe Hernandez, NPR, 3 July 2026
  • In the run-up to the summit, Erdogan described Turkey as a reliable ally that consistently shoulders responsibility on NATO’s southeastern flank and will continue to play a leading role in the alliance.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 July 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 11 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on elbow

Nglish: Translation of elbow for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about elbow

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