1
as in pushing
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
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2
as in pressing
to push steadily against with some force
quit shoving your hand in my face
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shoving
Some of the recent videos show the runners bumping into security guards and shoving past church staff, then leaving after being cornered and told to get off the property.
—
James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Reus scored the winner on a PK after a foul on Sam Junqua for shoving Elijah Wynder in the back on a corner kick.
—CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Reus scored the winner on a PK after a foul on Sam Junqua for shoving Elijah Wynder in the back on a corner kick.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
The Sabres’ Peyton Krebs was whistled for what looked like routine pushing and shoving in the first period.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
In another instance at the same unspecified firm in December, the head of security led a group to storm the investigation site, pushing and shoving law enforcement officers violently, the media outlet re ported.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
In a four-game span, the Philadelphia 76ers star received a technical foul for shoving Donte DiVincenzo, and flagrant fouls for dragging Mitchell Robinson to the floor and swiping Brunson in the head.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
In the clip, he can be seen screaming in an airport terminal and shoving a stanchion.
—Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
How does a neuron know when to stop shoving?
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 17 Apr. 2026
James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Reus scored the winner on a PK after a foul on Sam Junqua for shoving Elijah Wynder in the back on a corner kick.
—CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Reus scored the winner on a PK after a foul on Sam Junqua for shoving Elijah Wynder in the back on a corner kick.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
The Sabres’ Peyton Krebs was whistled for what looked like routine pushing and shoving in the first period.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
In another instance at the same unspecified firm in December, the head of security led a group to storm the investigation site, pushing and shoving law enforcement officers violently, the media outlet re ported.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
In a four-game span, the Philadelphia 76ers star received a technical foul for shoving Donte DiVincenzo, and flagrant fouls for dragging Mitchell Robinson to the floor and swiping Brunson in the head.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
In the clip, he can be seen screaming in an airport terminal and shoving a stanchion.
—Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
How does a neuron know when to stop shoving?
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 17 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shoving
Verb
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The company is also pushing for legislation to shield it from liability.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
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As the city morphs into a luxury tourist destination, struggling small businesses are pushing to retain the character that drew many tourists in the first place.—
Laura Millan,
Bloomberg,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Unlike with some rookies, the Rangers won’t have to make any pressing decisions with Sýkora.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
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Crowds lingered, pressing against barricades, hoping for just one more glimpse.—
Erin Hill,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
Verb
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After organizers failed to seek authorisation for the event, 600 police officers were deployed on Friday, issuing dozens of fines mainly for the possession of narcotics and driving offences.—
Niamh Kennedy,
CNN Money,
2 May 2026
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The guard has a knack of driving past the point of attack for her own shot or a drive-and-kick opportunity for her teammates.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2026
Verb
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His music is, in the best sense, grown-up, proof that a gifted songwriter can tackle the headiest, heaviest topics, compressing a novel’s worth of ideas, intelligence, irony, urbanity, humor and ambivalence into four minutes.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2026
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De Pablo notes that AI is compressing timelines dramatically.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Orlando teammates shared a quick high-five before thrusting the air awfully close to one another.—
Mark Harris OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
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Each actor elevates and pushes the other toward greatness, parrying and thrusting in excruciating exchanges and switching from vulnerability to anger in a matter of seconds.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shoving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shoving. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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