Push — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun abbreviation /ˈpu̇sh/

Meaning & Definition of Push

Push (verb)

  1. to press against with force in order to drive or impel
  2. to move or endeavor to move away or ahead by steady pressure without striking
  3. to thrust forward, downward, or outward

Push (noun)

  1. a vigorous effort to attain an end, drive:
  2. a military assault or offensive
  3. an advance that overcomes obstacles

Push (abbreviation)

  1. People United to Serve Humanity

Push (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. 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"

    similar: drive, propel, shove, thrust
    related: impel, move, bear (down), compress, depress, jam, pressure, squash, squeeze, weigh (upon), bulldoze, compel, force, lean (on or against), muscle, ram

  2. to force one's way

    "we had to push our way through a crowd that was mostly headed in the opposite direction"

    similar: bore, bull, bulldoze, crash, elbow, jam, jostle, muscle, press, shoulder, squeeze
    related: ram, shove, thrust

Push (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a series of activities undertaken to achieve a goal

    "an unprecedented push to pass stronger gun control measures"

    similar: bandwagon, blitz, campaign, cause, crusade, drive, juggernaut, movement
    related: assault, attack, maneuver, march, offensive, action, bid, enterprise, initiative, mission, project, undertaking

Related Entry: Push-bike (noun)

Push-bike is a different word from Push. The synonyms below are for push-bike, not for push.

  1. a two-wheeled vehicle that is propelled by the use of pedals and steered through the use of handlebars

    "the vicar riding his sturdy push-bike used to be a common sight around the village"

    similar: bicycle, bike, cycle, two-wheeler, velocipede (archaic)
    related: mountain bike, tandem bicycle, ten-speed

Related Entry: Push off (verb)

Push off is a different word from Push. The synonyms below are for push off, not for push.

  1. to leave a place often for another

    "let's push off while it's still early enough to beat the evening rush"

    similar: bail, bail out, begone, book (slang), bug off, bug out, bugger off (British slang), buzz (off), clear off (chiefly British), clear out, cut out, depart, dig out, exit, get, get off, go, go off, move, pack (up or off), part, peel off, pike (out or off), pull out, push on, quit, run along, sally (forth), scarper (British), shove (off), step (along), take off, vamoose, walk out, beat it, hit the road, pull stakes, take a hike, take a powder
    related: set out, start, strike out, abscond, decamp, escape, evacuate, flee, fly, get out, mizzle (chiefly British), run away, scat, scram, skip, go out, light out, step out, abandon, desert, forsake, vacate, emigrate, adjourn, remove, retire, retreat, withdraw
    opposite: arrive, come, show up, turn up
    near: abide, dwell, lodge, remain, settle, stay, tarry, approach, close, near, hit, land, reach

Related Entry: Push on (verb)

Push on is a different word from Push. The synonyms below are for push on, not for push.

  1. to leave a place often for another

    "the party was getting deadly dull, so it was time to push on"

    similar: bail, bail out, begone, book (slang), bug off, bug out, bugger off (British slang), buzz (off), clear off (chiefly British), clear out, cut out, depart, dig out, exit, get, get off, go, go off, move, pack (up or off), part, peel off, pike (out or off), pull out, push off, quit, run along, sally (forth), scarper (British), shove (off), step (along), take off, vamoose, walk out, beat it, hit the road, pull stakes, take a hike, take a powder
    related: set out, start, strike out, abscond, decamp, escape, evacuate, flee, fly, get out, mizzle (chiefly British), run away, scat, scram, skip, go out, light out, step out, abandon, desert, forsake, vacate, emigrate, adjourn, remove, retire, retreat, withdraw
    opposite: arrive, come, show up, turn up
    near: abide, dwell, lodge, remain, settle, stay, tarry, approach, close, near, hit, land, reach

Related Entry: Push around (verb)

Push around is a different word from Push. The synonyms below are for push around, not for push.

  1. as in make, force

    similar: bludgeon, coerce, compel, constrain, dragoon, force, make, oblige, press, pressure, badger, harass, hound, demoralize, psych (out), unman, unnerve, menace, terrorize, threaten, discompose, disconcert, disquiet, distress, disturb, perturb, upset, affright, alarm, frighten, horrify, scare, shock, spook, startle, terrify, bluster, trash-talk, blackjack, bogart, browbeat, bulldoze, bully, bullyrag, cow, hector, intimidate, strong-arm
    opposite: cheer, comfort, console, reassure, solace, soothe, embolden, encourage, hearten, steel, convince, persuade

Related Entry: Push button (noun)

Push button is a different word from Push. The synonyms below are for push button, not for push.

  1. as in button, switch

    similar: button, dial, key, knob, lever, selector, switch, actuator, control, controller, regulator

Related Entry: Push buttons (noun)

Push buttons is a different word from Push. The synonyms below are for push buttons, not for push.

  1. as in buttons, switches

    similar: buttons, dials, keys, knobs, levers, selectors, switches, actuators, controllers, controls, regulators

Related Entry: Push-bikes (noun)

Push-bikes is a different word from Push. The synonyms below are for push-bikes, not for push.

  1. a two-wheeled vehicle that is propelled by the use of pedals and steered through the use of handlebars

    "the vicar riding his sturdy push-bike used to be a common sight around the village"

    similar: bicycles, bikes, cycles, two-wheelers, velocipedes (archaic)
    related: mountain bikes, tandem bicycles, ten-speeds

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Push

The most common words with a similar meaning to Push:

drive, propel, shove, thrust, bore, bull, bulldoze, crash, elbow, jam, jostle, muscle, press, shoulder, squeeze, bandwagon, blitz, campaign, cause, crusade, juggernaut, movement

Related Words for Push

impel, move, bear (down), compress, depress, pressure, squash, weigh (upon), compel, force, lean (on or against), ram, assault, attack, maneuver, march, offensive, action, bid, enterprise, initiative, mission, project, undertaking

Word Forms of Push

Inflections: pushed, pushing, pushes

Origin & Etymology of Push

Middle English possen, pusshen, probably from Old French pousser to exert pressure, from Latin pulsare, frequentative of pellere to drive, strike felt

First known use: 13th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Push

Words & Phrases Containing Push

push around, push-bike, push broom, push-button, push button, push comes to shove, push off

Frequently Asked Questions about Push

What does "Push" mean?

"Push" means to press against with force in order to drive or impel. As an a verb, a noun and an abbreviation, it is defined as: to press against with force in order to drive or impel. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Push"?

Other words for "Push" include drive, propel, shove, thrust, bore, bull, bulldoze and crash. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Push" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Push"?

There are 46 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Push". Common alternatives include drive, propel, shove, thrust, bore, bull, bulldoze, crash, elbow and jam.

How do you use "Push" in a sentence?

Examples of "Push" in a sentence: "I had to push my damaged bike all the way home"; "we had to push our way through a crowd that was mostly headed in the opposite direction"; "an unprecedented push to pass stronger gun control measures".

Is "Push" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Push" can be used as a verb, a noun and an abbreviation, depending on the context.

Is "Push" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A2-level word, "Push" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+.

How do you pronounce "Push"?

"Push" is pronounced /ˈpu̇sh/.

What is the origin of the word "Push"?

"Push" comes from Middle English possen, pusshen, probably from Old French pousser to exert pressure, from Latin pulsare, frequentative of pellere to drive, strike felt. First known use: 13th centuryt.