paper-pusher
Americannoun
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a person who has a routine desk job.
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a bureaucrat.
Other Word Forms
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But in January, Mr. Putin transferred command of Ukraine operations to General Gerasimov, handing the reins to someone Mr. Prigozhin regularly pilloried as an incompetent paper-pusher.
From New York Times ● Jul. 12, 2023
The baffled facial expressions that drove Krasinski’s humorous portrayal of paper-pusher Jim Halpert have been replaced by exasperation in this setting, with the more ominous theme of national security hanging in the balance.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 30, 2018
Ortiz delivers a slightly magical paper-pusher, Keener is a woman broken by sadness as we watch helplessly, and Hamm is as stoic outside as he is broken inside.
From Washington Times ● Feb. 13, 2018
Although the title “leader of wilderness programs” might conjure a rugged image, York, dressed in a brown and green plaid shirt and tan pants, looked more paper-pusher than outdoorsman.
From Washington Post ● Sep. 25, 2015
DM There's quite a limited range of boss tropes: the paper-pusher, so you get the renegade cop coming up against the suit.
From The Guardian ● Aug. 24, 2012
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