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
Relevance
2
as in pressing
to push steadily against with some force
quit shoving your hand in my face
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 shoving
He was accused of hitting a man in the back of the head with a metal pipe inside the victim’s girlfriend’s home, then shoving the victim up against the wall and pushing the pipe up against his neck.
—
John Annese, New York Daily News, 15 June 2026
In the video, the first driver can be seen shoving the second vehicle's door closed as the driver attempts to get out of their vehicle.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 12 June 2026
Just like the band’s original recipe of shoving punk, dub reggae, hip-hop and ska into a blender, the new songs dutifully stick to the formula along with Jakob’s soulful caterwauls that sound scarily similar to his dad.
—Deputy Entertainment, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
Second, the referees somehow missed 7-foot-5 Victor Wembanyama shoving Jalen Brunson's head at the top of the key, a few feet away from the ball.
—Geoff Clark Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026
Live musicians, live actors… and all those terrific kids are shoving the furniture around all night as well.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 8 June 2026
Neither is pushing, shoving or throwing people from the pool deck.
—Hali Smith
june 2, Idaho Statesman, 2 June 2026
And Patrick Paul gave up a sack to Josh Uche during the final 11-on-11 period and shoving ensued.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 2 June 2026
Let the market decide if more public transit is desired rather than shoving it down the taxpayer’s throat.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 30 May 2026
John Annese, New York Daily News, 15 June 2026
In the video, the first driver can be seen shoving the second vehicle's door closed as the driver attempts to get out of their vehicle.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 12 June 2026
Just like the band’s original recipe of shoving punk, dub reggae, hip-hop and ska into a blender, the new songs dutifully stick to the formula along with Jakob’s soulful caterwauls that sound scarily similar to his dad.
—Deputy Entertainment, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
Second, the referees somehow missed 7-foot-5 Victor Wembanyama shoving Jalen Brunson's head at the top of the key, a few feet away from the ball.
—Geoff Clark Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026
Live musicians, live actors… and all those terrific kids are shoving the furniture around all night as well.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 8 June 2026
Neither is pushing, shoving or throwing people from the pool deck.
—Hali Smith
june 2, Idaho Statesman, 2 June 2026
And Patrick Paul gave up a sack to Josh Uche during the final 11-on-11 period and shoving ensued.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 2 June 2026
Let the market decide if more public transit is desired rather than shoving it down the taxpayer’s throat.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 30 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shoving
Verb
-
Trump is pushing France to nix a 3% tech levy on revenue from large digital services that has been in place since 2019.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
15 June 2026
-
If their next outing doesn’t keep carefully evolving, they can get branded a one-trick pony, but pushing the envelope too far can alienate day-one fans.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Inherently, Liverpool’s pressing approach is fine and not unusual.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
12 Dec. 2025
-
Dodge said one of the keys is not pressing, forcing things and allowing the game to come to him.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
After a few minutes, police allowed the van to continue its journey, issuing only a warning citation to Abrego Garcia for driving on an expired license.—
Evan Mealins,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
-
Though their onscreen chemistry was undoubtedly a driving force for the show, things took an unexpected turn circa 2013.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
FOXNews.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The technology can help with due diligence and integration, compressing what was once a long process into one that customers might not notice.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
-
Eventually, doctors discovered the boot had been compressing a nerve in her foot over time, causing a condition known as Morton’s neuroma — a painful buildup of scar tissue around a nerve in the foot.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Like the tip of a spear thrusting from the London skyline, The Shard has become an appealing landmark for filmmakers over the years.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
3 June 2026
-
Four 2,400 kW electric motors (two each per hull) are coupled with steerable and thrusting waterjets with an output power above 25 kn.—
Srishti Gupta,
Interesting Engineering,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shoving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shoving. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
