1
as in to push
to apply force to (someone or something) so that it moves in front of one
I had to keep shoving my heavy suitcase as I slowly made my way to the head of the line
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to press
to push steadily against with some force
quit shoving your hand in my face
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 shove
Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Philadelphia used it five times during this game, and Hurts got a brotherly shove in scoring the touchdown on a fourth down to gave the Eagles a 20-10 lead.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2025
Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2025
And then, last December, a group of guards killed a man named Robert Brooks in a state prison near Utica—punching him, shoving a rag into his mouth, hitting him with his own shoe, and stomping on his groin.
—Jennifer Gonnerman, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shove
Verb
Bednarek took exception and gave Lyles a shove in the back.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Philadelphia used it five times during this game, and Hurts got a brotherly shove in scoring the touchdown on a fourth down to gave the Eagles a 20-10 lead.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
Hall shoved Wright, who pushed her back, Wright’s girlfriend told police.
—Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2025
And then, last December, a group of guards killed a man named Robert Brooks in a state prison near Utica—punching him, shoving a rag into his mouth, hitting him with his own shoe, and stomping on his groin.
—Jennifer Gonnerman, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shove
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shove
Verb
-
This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Missouri Western fell to 1-5, while Nebraska-Kearney pushed its record to 5-2.—
The Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
After years of violence, corruption and poverty, governments are increasingly using authoritarian tactics, and the defense of democracy has taken a backseat to pressing domestic issues and economic agendas.—
Nora Gamez Torres,
Miami Herald,
10 Oct. 2025
-
But Altieri was looking through him, down at the ground, where Maricarmen was pressing her hand to the side of Rey’s bleeding face, and Carmelo was pulling off his T-shirt, handing it over to her.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Sylvia said fire crews had to access the scene by driving in the wrong direction from 59th Street.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Bouchard is one of the NHL’s most polarizing defensemen, but there’s no denying his elite play-driving numbers on the top pair — even in non-Connor McDavid and non-Leon Draisaitl minutes.—
Harman Dayal,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Multiverse’s argument that compressed models significantly cut energy use might also not hold up over time, because cheaper, more accessible AI models will likely attract billions more users.—
Vivienne Walt,
Fortune,
9 Oct. 2025
-
The pieces compress easily when not in use, and the pillowcase sleeve slips right over your suitcase handle for easy transport.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
When a young woman is brutally murdered in a remote town, a determined female detective is thrust into the case.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Engine thrust in the baseline design is projected at 370 kilonewtons.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shove.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shove. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share