1
as in pushes
to apply force to (someone or something) so that it moves in front of one
the cat thrust her paw under the couch, trying to reach her toy mouse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in rises
to move or extend upward
the butte thrusts up 300 feet from the floor of the valley
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 thrusts
Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 16 May 2026
The move, announced Wednesday, thrusts Kemp and his Republican allies back into the center of two of the most combustible debates in Georgia politics a day after the June 16 primary runoffs cement nominees for every statewide office.
—Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 13 May 2026
The appeal again thrusts the justices into the mid-decade redistricting war as both parties race to redraw their maps, hoping to bolster their chances of capturing control of the House in November.
—Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 11 May 2026
Built in 2001, the coaster boasts a 3,365-foot track with a 232-foot drop that thrusts riders to a top speed of 85 miles per hour.
—Finch Walker, USA Today, 8 May 2026
The Roberts Court, by contrast, thrusts itself into the center of public controversies, taking big swings at landmark legislation and undermining fundamental rights.
—Miriam Rosenbaum, Time, 30 Apr. 2026
Bond investors are exacting a heavy price from three of Europe's largest economies, which are struggling with a credibility crisis as the Iran conflict thrusts government borrowing back into the spotlight.
—Hugh Leask, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2026
Whereas the original book trilogy saw Tris choose Dauntless, the faction of bravery, in The Sixth Faction, tragedy strikes at her Choosing Ceremony, where her decision thrusts her into an underground rebellion.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 19 Apr. 2026
The result puts Tony on the radar of Scotland Yard’s Inspector Hubbard (Nick Mandracchia), and immediately thrusts Tony into a defensive posture.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 19 Nov. 2025
Verb
Titian painted Saint Lawrence—a third-century church deacon who was slow-roasted for defying Roman authorities—bound to a palette over a sizzling fire, while a man thrusts a long, forked skewer into his torso.
—Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 16 May 2026
The move, announced Wednesday, thrusts Kemp and his Republican allies back into the center of two of the most combustible debates in Georgia politics a day after the June 16 primary runoffs cement nominees for every statewide office.
—Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 13 May 2026
The appeal again thrusts the justices into the mid-decade redistricting war as both parties race to redraw their maps, hoping to bolster their chances of capturing control of the House in November.
—Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 11 May 2026
Built in 2001, the coaster boasts a 3,365-foot track with a 232-foot drop that thrusts riders to a top speed of 85 miles per hour.
—Finch Walker, USA Today, 8 May 2026
The Roberts Court, by contrast, thrusts itself into the center of public controversies, taking big swings at landmark legislation and undermining fundamental rights.
—Miriam Rosenbaum, Time, 30 Apr. 2026
Bond investors are exacting a heavy price from three of Europe's largest economies, which are struggling with a credibility crisis as the Iran conflict thrusts government borrowing back into the spotlight.
—Hugh Leask, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2026
Whereas the original book trilogy saw Tris choose Dauntless, the faction of bravery, in The Sixth Faction, tragedy strikes at her Choosing Ceremony, where her decision thrusts her into an underground rebellion.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 19 Apr. 2026
The result puts Tony on the radar of Scotland Yard’s Inspector Hubbard (Nick Mandracchia), and immediately thrusts Tony into a defensive posture.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
His sister administered back thrusts and, eventually, an abdominal thrust formerly called the Heimlich maneuver.
—Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 19 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thrusts
Verb
-
The city spends far less per person on its parks than other comparable cities and has seen its full-time workforce shrink by 28% since 2008, said Tori Kjer, executive director of the Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust, which pushes for more equitable access to park space.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2026
-
The side of the other foot then pushes the ball away before the outside of the same foot snaps it back in the other direction.—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
The arch spans 78 feet and rises 65 feet high, drawing hikers eager to experience one of the region’s most striking landmarks.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
-
The probability of lightning strikes rises as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is directly above.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
Along with similar four-year deals — longer than the industry three — ratified in recent weeks by unions representing writers and actors, the DGA agreement adds to the likelihood of long-term labor peace despite many other industry upheavals.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 June 2026
-
The rule, adopted before the 2020 season but not implemented until this year due to the upheavals caused by the coronavirus pandemic, states that a team cannot use a position player on the mound unless there is a difference of six or more runs between the two teams.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Alas, Shao Khan smashes Cole’s head with a hammer, Gallagher style, and shoves his body into a vat of acid.—
James Grebey,
Vulture,
12 May 2026
-
Near the end of the penultimate episode, Cashman confronts Blake about Urich, shoves him to the ground in a scuffle and shoots him dead.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The lab is now investigating whether the same lysosomal dysfunction in old stem cells plays a role in leukemia, a disease whose incidence climbs sharply with age.—
Allison Palmer,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 June 2026
-
Pulse pressure also typically widens with age, as the systolic pressure climbs and the diastolic pressure dips.—
Lindsey Leake,
NBC news,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
The fiesta features morning mass ascensions, afterglow balloons and lively entertainment.—
Emese Maczko,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Jude Castellanos, who drives for an independent school transportation system, said her minivan was carrying around 10 children ranging from first grade to fifth grade students when the incident was unfolding.—
Cindy Von Quednow,
CNN Money,
12 June 2026
-
At a time when corporate values are often reduced to wall art and mission statements, Paul Ingram has spent years studying what actually drives human behavior inside organizations.—
Rodger Dean Duncan,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Hilton ascends in polling as Bianco falls behind As the leading Republican candidate, according to recent polling, including the April CBS News survey, Hilton's campaign has centered around the state's cost-of-living crisis.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
2 June 2026
-
An elevator ascends from the entrance vestibule to the main level, where an open living room flows into a dining area with a separate seating nook and fireplace.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Thrusts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thrusts. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
