1
as in to push
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
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2
as in to rise
to move or extend upward the butte thrusts up 300 feet from the floor of the valley
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in heave
Related Words
Dissimilar 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 thrust
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Apr. 2026 But where these artists possess a commanding confidence, Moales often sounds plucky, as if thrust forward to sing with her eyes shut tight at the world’s most eclectic karaoke night. —Lily Goldberg, Pitchfork, 8 Apr. 2026
Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Apr. 2026 Unlike traditional drones that rely on forward motion or rotor tilt for maneuverability, Aerix’s system enables continuous omnidirectional thrust. —Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 31 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for thrust
Verb
While still in its early stages, the experiment demonstrates that light can generate the velocity and thrust needed to steer solar sails and adjust satellite positions. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Apr. 2026 But where these artists possess a commanding confidence, Moales often sounds plucky, as if thrust forward to sing with her eyes shut tight at the world’s most eclectic karaoke night. —Lily Goldberg, Pitchfork, 8 Apr. 2026
Noun
Unfortunately, the film is essentially a vacuum with no sense of intrigue or urgency — there's practically no character development, thematic weight, artistic innovation, emotional resonance, or narrative thrust. —Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Apr. 2026 Unlike traditional drones that rely on forward motion or rotor tilt for maneuverability, Aerix’s system enables continuous omnidirectional thrust. —Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 31 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for thrust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thrust
Verb
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Sandbags have been replaced in key areas, and crews are now pushing to get the hydroelectric powerhouse back online to help redirect water and relieve pressure on the dam.— Terrance Friday, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
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In Asia, the Iran war is pushing South Korea to increase nuclear power generation, while Taiwan is debating restarting mothballed reactors.— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Other important ceremonial garments are also on display, including the Queen’s wedding dress, from 1947, another Hartnell creation that incorporated not just the white rose of the House of York but also featured orange blossoms, a symbol of fertility.— Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
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Areas near the river from just east of O’Hare International Airport north to the Wisconsin border were under a flood warning due to the river’s rising levels, according to the National Weather Service.— Madeline King, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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When third-base umpire David Rackley gave Vitello the heave, the Giants weren’t careening toward a series loss.— Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2026
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Then, to add insult to injury, the Cavaliers carried a 109-87 lead into the fourth when Cleveland’s Evan Mobley ended the third quarter with a successful 32-foot buzzer-beating heave.— Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Clarke shoved O’Connor at least once.— Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 20 Apr. 2026
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Especially if the players in front of Oettinger insist on having the game shoved down every orifice of their body.— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Where the hill of Fiesole begins to climb, but still in Florence, that’s where the quiet idyll of Il Salviatino begins, a 15th-century villa surrounded by a 13-acre park just 10 minutes away from the Duomo (Santa Maria del Fiore) and a 25-minute ride from the airport.— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Apr. 2026
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Employee engagement has climbed to the 90th percentile.— Vicente Reynal, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Set in Shizuoka during the 1970s and ’80s, the film draws on Kimura’s own family history, following a single mother’s pursuit of personal freedom amid the social upheaval of the era.— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Apr. 2026
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Their home offers refuge to Black travelers navigating the upheaval of the Great Migration.— Greg Evans, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Most observers would say that this version of Bentancur was not quite as effective as the one seen under Antonio Conte, more able to cover ground in the middle and drive Tottenham forward.— Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
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Once officers arrived, people at the scene said that someone had driven a teenage boy who had been shot from the scene.— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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As McMahon ascended in Washington, Vince remained in Connecticut.— Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
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The Timberwolves have an ascending Jaden McDaniels to toss at Jamal Murray, and rotational options at center with all-time-great defender Rudy Gobert and sixth man Naz Reid.— Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Thrust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/thrust. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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