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Synonyms

pushing

American  
[poosh-ing] / ˈpʊʃ ɪŋ /

adjective

  1. that pushes.

  2. enterprising; energetic.

    Synonyms:
    ambitious
  3. tactlessly or officiously aggressive; forward; intrusive.

    Synonyms:
    offensive

pushing British  
/ ˈpʊʃɪŋ /

adjective

  1. enterprising, resourceful, or aggressively ambitious

  2. impertinently self-assertive

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adverb

  1. almost or nearly (a certain age, speed, etc)

    pushing fifty

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of pushing

First recorded in 1520–30; push + -ing 2

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.

“I wouldn’t be in this field of work if I didn’t think we were pushing towards solutions that can slow down dementia, treat dementia, cure dementia,” Croft said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026

Blood pressure measures the force of blood pushing against artery walls as the heart pumps.

From Science Daily • May 18, 2026

“Additionally, many investors we speak with are pushing for a much larger dividend commitment — which we think the market would like because it will further broaden the shareholder base,” he wrote.

From MarketWatch • May 17, 2026

Increased prices for food ingredients and fertilizers are still pushing up costs for traders, farmers and consumers leading to a "vicious circle" fuelling a "cost-of-living crisis", a cheesemonger said.

From BBC • May 17, 2026

I shook my head, pushing the thought away.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

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