pushy
Americanadjective
adjective
-
offensively assertive or forceful
-
aggressively or ruthlessly ambitious
Usage
What does pushy mean? Pushy is used to describe a person who is considered too aggressive, forceful, or assertive.People described as pushy are typically those who try to get others to do what they want or agree with them by demanding or just continuing to ask. In other words, a pushy person is someone who pushes other people to do things. A salesperson who follows you around and pressures you to buy can be called pushy. A friend who insists on getting their way can be called pushy.Pushy is always used in a negative way. Calling someone pushy implies that their behavior annoys or offends you due to being overly aggressive.The adverb form of pushy is pushily, as in The trainer very pushily insisted that I upgrade to the platinum gym membership. Much less commonly, pushy can be used in situations that involve literal pushing or shoving, as in If you stand in the front row at the concert, be careful—things tend to get a bit pushy. Example: My roommate is so pushy—she never even lets me decide where to order from when we get takeout.
Other Word Forms
- pushily adverb
- pushiness noun
Etymology
Origin of pushy
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.
“They don’t necessarily like him, because he can be difficult to work with and very, very demanding, very pushy.”
We were talking about how, like, East Coast festivals, people are kind of pushy.
From Los Angeles Times
“Strong but never pushy, she had self-composure and poise beyond her years,” the obituary said.
From Seattle Times
Do other charities have this problem with pushy volunteers?
From Washington Post
But in some contexts — in a note, say, to your boss or your mother-in-law — an ! might come off as too forceful or pushy or naively joyful.
From Washington Post
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
