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
If implemented, the project would fit with Canada’s push to strengthen its domestic defense industrial base and retain more high-value aerospace work at home. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 25 July 2026 The stabilization fund is meant to work alongside a program to rehabilitate basic services, labor-law reforms guaranteeing union rights, and a push against corruption in public administration. — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 24 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
  • Coming off the awful travel out of Chicago from July 9 into July 10, in which the Red Sox had two plane issues and arrived just a couple hours before first pitch, Gray shoved.
    — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 24 July 2026
  • Even Christmas brought misery in the form of an ICE agent dressed up as Santa, who shoved away children trying to hug him, according to the detainee declarations submitted to the court.
    — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026
Definition of shove
Verb
  • Barbara Rainey, a Cherry resident of 76 years, said a school bus hit her cousin’s car while trying to squeeze between vehicles parked on either side.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2026
  • Tournament football isn’t generally conducive to pressing, with so many matches squeezed into such a short window, and without the cohesion that comes from club sides training together for months.
    — Michael Cox, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Definition of squeeze
Noun
  • Key issues central to Collins’ campaign are healthcare, education, property taxes, and government accountability, according to his website.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026
  • On Friday night, the US appeared to pause its bombing campaign on Iran after nearly two weeks of consecutive nights of strikes.
    — Chris Lau, CNN Money, 26 July 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
  • Berman also pressed his advantage as a first mover, borrowing capital from large financial firms that wanted to get into the market.
    — Andrew Rice, Curbed, 23 July 2026
  • Apple is cautiously introducing these features, but time is pressing to deliver a comprehensive AI experience.
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of press
Noun
  • Analysts and opposition politicians in exile said the declaration put into focus the reality of two-person rule under the Ortegas, while revealing the couple’s fear of an opposition movement taking root.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
  • Public figures attract crowds, complicating protective movement and increasing the chance of disruptions.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Definition of movement
Verb
  • That was an emotional accomplishment because Harvick was thrust into that seat after the great Dale Earnhart was killed in a crash in the last turn of the last lap of the Daytona 500 on February 18, 2001.
    — Bruce Martin, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026
  • But only in recent years has raw milk, which once drew a fringe crowd, been thrust into the mainstream.
    — Annie Waldman, ProPublica, 23 July 2026
Definition of thrust
Noun
  • Foodbanks and Hillsborough Burnham has fundraised for the club’s charitable arm, Everton in the Community, and regularly championed fan causes.
    — Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • The cause of the fire has not been confirmed, but the fulfillment center holds flammables such as household products, paper boxes and vinyl packaging.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 20 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 27 Jul. 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!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of parochial

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

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?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

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

Popular

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List
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
chain-question-mark
Missing Link Quiz July 2026 Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All