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
Relevance
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
Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Patel's relationship with alcohol was thrust into the spotlight after a video of him celebrating with the USA men's hockey team following their gold-medal Olympic win went viral.
—Drew Pittock, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Efficiency, in this case, means that 100% of your fuel (where 50% is matter and 50% is antimatter) gets converted into useful energy, which can be used to generate momentum-changing thrust and accelerate your spacecraft.
—Big Think, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for thrust
Verb
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
Patel's relationship with alcohol was thrust into the spotlight after a video of him celebrating with the USA men's hockey team following their gold-medal Olympic win went viral.
—Drew Pittock, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
Fragments of story are fed to us, but there’s no forward thrust, just a lot of pussyfooting around.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Efficiency, in this case, means that 100% of your fuel (where 50% is matter and 50% is antimatter) gets converted into useful energy, which can be used to generate momentum-changing thrust and accelerate your spacecraft.
—Big Think, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for thrust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thrust
Verb
-
Its prices are pushing up airfares, baggage fees and add-on charges.—
Mae Anderson,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
Some lawmakers also want legislation that could push back on Selig’s offensive by affirming states’ authority to rein in the platforms.—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But they are expected to rise with tightening supplies of fuel and fertilizer.—
Mae Anderson,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
To address rising demand of lithium The USGS projects that global production capacity will double by 2029 to address rising demand from technology companies.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Next to it is a giant Goliath crane, which can lift up to 30,000 tons in a single heave; a gleaming white Royal Caribbean cruise ship sits just a few docks away.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
-
In Game 4 between the Nuggets and Wolves, the first half finished identically -- with an 8-0 run and a heave from Murray.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Avdija took exception to Castle’s actions and shoved him.—
The Athletic NBA Staff,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
That capped a half in which Stewart and Orlando's Goga Bitadze were called for double fouls late in the first quarter, then called for double technicals while continuing to push and shove two seconds after play resumed.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
After school, the siblings liked to climb in a willow that was in front of their home, hiding from their parents beneath the sweep of its branches.—
Lizzie Johnson,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
-
And, at long last, the Magic were able to climb aboard the Bane Train on Saturday.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Mayor Dean Trantalis and Commissioner Steve Glassman behave as though Fort Lauderdale is their personal canvas for legacy-building, rather than a city facing multi‑year budget deficits, potential property tax upheaval, and residents already stretched thin.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
-
During Francis’s pontificate, the Vatican appointed an AI adviser who worked with Silicon Valley leaders, heads of state, and the United Nations to protect those most vulnerable to the coming technological upheaval.—
Elias Wachtel,
The Atlantic,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Daniel Schneemann then drove the next pitch just over the left-centerfield field wall for a two-run homer.—
Marc Topkin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
As Sousa-Martins drove forward, another agent shot at him 13 times, injuring Sousa-Martins as well as Solomon Antonio Serrano-Esquivel, a passenger in one of the ICE vehicles who was already in federal custody.—
Lily Carey,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
While the Vikings didn’t necessarily want to move Greenard, this outcome provided the team with extra draft capital and more financial flexibility, as well as a runway for third-year edge rusher Dallas Turner to continue to ascend.—
Jeff Howe,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Denver’s general manager before the Wallace-Tenzer tandem, Calvin Booth, ascended with the Timberwolves from 2013-17, first as a scout then as their director of player personnel.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Thrust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thrust. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
