push 1 of 2

verb

ˈpu̇sh How to pronounce push (audio)
Definition of pushnext
1
as in to shove
to apply force to (someone or something) so that it moves in front of one I had to push my damaged bike all the way home

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to squeeze
to force one's way we had to push our way through a crowd that was mostly headed in the opposite direction

Synonyms & Similar Words

push

2 of 2

noun

as in campaign
a series of activities undertaken to achieve a goal an unprecedented push to pass stronger gun control measures

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 push
Verb
Increasingly, however, campaigns are taking notice, and aiming to push back. — Max Tani, semafor.com, 27 July 2026 If someone pushes back, resist turning it into a battle for dominance. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 July 2026
Noun
In 2024, Dartmouth’s men’s basketball team made a similar push and voted to form a union, with pushback from both the university and the Ivy League. — Justin Williams, New York Times, 31 July 2026 The Lumière summit also builds on Macron’s broader push to develop France’s creative economy during his presidency, whose second mandate ends next year. — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for push
Recent Examples of Synonyms for push
  1. shove
  2. squeeze
  3. campaign
  4. drive
  5. press
  6. movement
  7. thrust
  8. cause
Verb
  • Rhodes escaped and shoved Punk shoulder-first into the steel ring steps.
    — Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Nor was it given a say when a near 30-minute half-time show was shoved into the tournament’s final.
    — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of shove
Verb
  • Yet despite their clear burnout, most can’t afford to simply quit; not with the cost of living squeezing every paycheck, AI already closing in on entry-level roles, and one of the toughest job markets in years waiting on the other side.
    — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 29 July 2026
  • As a result, in 2015-16, regulators delayed the crab season for months, ultimately squeezing the typical seven months down to roughly two.
    — Susanne Rust Follow, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
Definition of squeeze
Noun
  • As far as the Tampa Bay franchise is concerned, Caminero joined Evan Longoria (four), Carlos Pena (three) and Brandon Lowe (two) as the only players with multiple 30-homer campaigns.
    — Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Netanyahu is desperate for the US to resume its military campaign against Iran in earnest.
    — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of campaign
Verb
  • To prevent speculation that drives up land price without actual construction, the zoning benefits would be granted only on submission of building-permit applications.
    — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
  • Real estate has always been driven by connections between buyers and sellers.
    — Heartland MLS®, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026
Definition of drive
Verb
  • In statements, the groups’ leaders largely cited concerns that the tax wouldn’t address their most pressing funding concerns and would endanger California’s long-term fiscal health.
    — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026
  • But ambitions at this scale also create a pressing operational challenge.
    — Hayley Tabor, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of press
Noun
  • Analyzing top player movement Changing schools is extremely common, with more than 17,000 athletes in Texas filling out a prior athletic participation form (PAPF) this past year, according to UIL executive director Jamie Harrison.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 July 2026
  • Social media became a running chronicle of the movement, helping transform an exam grievance into a national conversation.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
Definition of movement
Verb
  • In Memphis, Tennessee, residents are exhausted at being thrust into the national discourse over crime and safety.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026
  • The ongoing, high-profile trial has thrust the topic of maternal mental health—and postpartum psychosis in particular—into the national spotlight.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 31 July 2026
Definition of thrust
Noun
  • Federal grants can’t be canceled without cause, and the reliability of that funding was crucial, Miller said.
    — Lisa Song, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
  • Additional hormone testing helps identify the underlying cause, and your doctor may order more tests to rule out other medical conditions.
    — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026
Definition of cause

Phrases Containing push

Browse Nearby Words

purviews
push
push around
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Push.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/push. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on push

Nglish: Translation of push for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

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

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

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
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
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All