Synonyms of pushing

pushing 1 of 2

adjective

ˈpu̇-shiŋ 

1

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

• ambitious
• aspiring
• driving
• hard-driving
• hustling
• energetic
• eager
• motivated
• dynamic
• go-getting
• diligent
• determined
• ardent
• hungry
• aggressive
• self-seeking
• enterprising
• competing
• lively
• venturesome
• industrious
• spirited
• competitive
• impassioned
• animated
• avid
• vigorous
• scrappy
• pushy
• rival
• gung ho
• assertive
• venturous
• opportunistic
• raring
• keen
• pretentious
• high-flying
• overambitious
• self-assertive
• rivalrous

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• indifferent
• uninterested
• disinterested
• unambitious
• apathetic
• casual
• lackadaisical
• unexcited
• unenthusiastic
• easygoing
• lukewarm
• tepid
• lazy
• sluggish
• halfhearted
• uneager
• ambitionless
• lethargic
• listless
• shiftless
• lazyish
• spiritless
• unaggressive
• unassertive

2

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

• busy
• intruding
• prying
• interfering
• meddling
• pushy
• annoying
• intrusive
• officious
• meddlesome
• obtrusive
• presuming
• protrusive
• invading
• nosy
• rude
• snoopy
• presumptuous
• trespassing
• brazen
• curious
• impudent
• bumptious
• insolent
• harassing
• inquisitive
• bold
• impertinent
• overbearing
• pestiferous
• superserviceable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unobtrusive
• withdrawn
• silent
• retiring
• quiet
• reserved
• uninvolved
• restrained
• inhibited
• reticent
• hands-off
• reclusive
• subdued
• taciturn

pushing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of push

1

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

• shoving
• driving
• thrusting
• propelling
• moving
• squeezing
• forcing
• jamming
• pressuring
• compressing
• bearing (down)
• weighing (upon)
• impelling
• squashing
• compelling
• depressing
• leaning (on or against)
• ramming
• muscling
• bulldozing

2

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

• squeezing
• shoving
• pressing
• jamming
• crashing
• jostling
• elbowing
• bulldozing
• shouldering
• thrusting
• muscling
• boring
• bulling
• ramming

Example Sentences

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

The former youth pastor suspected of pushing his wife off a Utah cliff died by suicide in a very unusual way, said the sheriff who oversees Las Vegas’ jails. — Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 16 July 2026

As a car speeds up, the air resistance pushing against it increases and forces the engine to work harder, using more fuel to achieve the same speed. — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 16 July 2026

Trump has been pushing Republicans to pass the SAVE America Act, but Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) argues that the GOP doesn’t have the 60 votes needed to pass the legislation. — Sydney Topf, The Washington Examiner, 16 July 2026

Estrogen patch shortages in 2025 and confusion over new FDA guidance have added fresh pressure, pushing more women toward over-the-counter options. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026

Amazon said Wednesday that the technology company will launch its new satellite internet service Amazon Leo in South Africa in 2027, seemingly pushing ahead of Elon Musk’s rival Starlink to win business in Africa’s most advanced economy. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 16 July 2026

The House Problem Solvers Caucus is pushing for national redistricting standards that could end the worst abuses. — Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026

That day helped solidify my decision to keep pushing forward after failing so miserably. — Kristine Fischer, Outdoor Life, 16 July 2026

The combination of rising demand, tighter schedules and growing sensitivity to pet welfare is pushing more people toward mobile options. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026