PUSHING Synonyms: 136 Similar and Opposite Words

pushing 1 of 2

adjective

ˈpu̇-shiŋ

Definition of pushing

as in ambitious

having a strong desire for personal advancement among the young associates at the law firm, he was unmistakably the most pushing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in busy

thrusting oneself where one is not welcome or invited the sort of sycophantic, pushing man on the make that everyone loves to hate

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

pushing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of push

as in shoving

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

as in squeezing

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

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 pushing

Adjective

The weight limit was a necessary move to equalize race conditions and curb the use of athletic specialists who, although not bobsledders, have in the past proven decisive in their teams’ success through the pushing phase. — Alessio Caprodossi, Wired News, 15 Feb. 2026 Musk plunged into a controversy of his own making after tweeting and deleting a post pushing baseless allegations about the attack on Paul Pelosi, the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. — Hamza Shaban, Washington Post, 4 Nov. 2022

Verb

On Frequency of Love, Monét stretches out, pushing the boundaries of the sophisticated, retro sound of her previous album and finding some surprising new angles to her songwriting. — Molly Mary O’Brien, Pitchfork, 7 Oct. 2026 The Kremlin has banned diesel exports due to the Ukrainian strikes, pushing global prices higher. — Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026 Beneath it all hums the climate crisis, driving hotter, drier weather and pushing the water cycle off balance. — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026 The conversation also explores the state of rock and punk, the new generation of bands pushing those genres forward, the conversation around the use of backing tracks and how the business side of music has changed. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 6 Oct. 2026 The car features $47,705 worth of options, pushing its total price, including destination fees, to $296,100. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 6 Oct. 2026 Ethiopia’s army is now quickly regrouping and is pushing the TPLF back into Tigray, where government forces have retaken the regional airport and now occupy the capital, Mekelle. — Cameron Hudson, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026 That visibility gives leaders the leverage to address the underlying constraints instead of asking teams to keep pushing against them. — Angela Palo, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026 Tinashe is also among the artists pushing back and clearing a lane for herself. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 29 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pushing

Adjective

And over the next two decades, the games became more ambitious and elaborate, set in various time periods, even the future.

— Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026
The most ambitious study of Flock's system so far is a recent one by University of South Carolina crime researchers Ian Adams and Scott Mourtgos.

— Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of ambitious

Adjective

Erik Neander’s Oura Ring, a device that monitors heart rate and stress among other functions, had been busy in the days leading up to and during the American League Division Series against the Yankees.

— Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Oct. 2026
Even on busy weekends, the staff are perfectly primed to welcome guests with Southern charm and efficiency.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of busy

Verb

Court records show that Jang reported McKinsey to police in 2023, accusing him of shoving one of their children and using rough physical discipline with them generally.

— TERRY CHEA, Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2026
Richards saw Hernandez's kick at the ball, took exception, and within seconds every player on the field was pushing and shoving.

— Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of shoving

Adjective

Ilaria, a 30-year-old aspiring fashion designer who works in retail, has her eyes on the yellow silk camisole, which sold out online.

— Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
The couple married in 2008, and Siebel Newsom was quickly cast in the role of stabilizing force, an attractive, wealthy, and engaged political partner for an aspiring politician.

— Joe Hagan, Vanity Fair, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of aspiring

Verb

In the employer market, more recent data suggest the volumes of prescriptions — which are proprietary — are driving up spending more than prices, although prices are still a factor.

— Bob Herman, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026
When the Vikings regained possession Minnesota gobbled up the clock, driving the ball to the 2-yard line before ending the game with the victory formation.

— Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of driving

Verb

Putin, meanwhile, is pressing ahead with the invasion in the belief that Ukrainians will buckle under the pressure and Kyiv's Western supporters won't stay the course, Western analysts say.

— SAMYA KULLAB, Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026
Putin, meanwhile, is pressing ahead with the invasion in the belief that Ukrainians will buckle under the pressure and Kyiv’s Western supporters won’t stay the course, Western analysts say.

— Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of pressing

Verb

The Raunchiest Miley Cyrus shocked viewers by stripping down to a nude bikini top and briefs and grinding, twerking and thrusting on fellow performer Robin Thicke at the 2013 show in one of the raciest performances in MTV history.

— Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2026
On Kauai’s south shore, Hurricane Lowell lifted a home off its foundation and split it in two, the storm’s powerful winds thrusting part of the structure across the street.

— Liz Kreutz, NBC news, 9 Sep. 2026