View synonyms for thrust

thrust

[thruhst]

verb (used with object)

thrust, thrusting 
  1. to push forcibly; shove; put or drive with force.

    He thrust his way through the crowd. She thrust a dagger into his back.

  2. to put boldly forth or impose acceptance of.

    to thrust oneself into a conversation between others; to thrust a dollar into the waiter's hand.

  3. to extend; present.

    He thrust his fist in front of my face.

  4. Archaic.,  to stab or pierce, as with a sword.

    She thrust his back with a dagger.



verb (used without object)

thrust, thrusting 
  1. to push against something.

  2. to push or force one's way, as against obstacles or through a crowd.

  3. to make a thrust, lunge, or stab at something.

noun

  1. an act or instance of thrusting; a forcible push or shove; lunge or stab.

  2. a lunge or stab, as with a sword.

  3. Mechanics.,  a linear reactive force exerted by a propeller, propulsive gases, etc., to propel a ship, aircraft, etc.

  4. Geology.,  a compressive strain in the crust of the earth that, in its most characteristic development, produces reverse or thrust faults.

  5. the main point, purpose, or essence.

    The thrust of his speech was an urgent appeal for votes.

  6. Machinery.,  a pushing force or pressure exerted by a thing or a part against a contiguous one.

  7. Architecture.,  the downward and outward force exerted by an arch on each side.

  8. an organized military attack; assault; offensive.

thrust

/ θrʌst /

verb

  1. (tr) to push (someone or something) with force or sudden strength

    she thrust him away

    she thrust it into the fire

  2. (tr) to force or impose upon (someone) or into (some condition or situation)

    they thrust extra responsibilities upon her

    she was thrust into the limelight

  3. to pierce; stab

  4. (intr; usually foll by through or into) to force a passage or entrance

  5. (intr) to push forwards, upwards, or outwards

  6. to make a stab or lunge at (a person or thing)

“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

noun

  1. a forceful drive, push, stab, or lunge

  2. a force, esp one that produces motion

    1. a propulsive force produced by the fluid pressure or the change of momentum of the fluid in a jet engine, rocket engine, etc

    2. a similar force produced by a propeller

  3. a pressure that is exerted continuously by one part of an object, structure, etc, against another, esp the axial force by or on a shaft

  4. geology

    1. the compressive force in the earth's crust that produces recumbent folds and thrust or reverse faults

    2. See thrust fault

  5. civil engineering a force exerted in a downwards and outwards direction, as by an arch or rafter, or the horizontal force exerted by retained earth

  6. force, impetus, or drive

    a man with thrust and energy

  7. the essential or most forceful part

    the thrust of the argument

“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

thrust

  1. The force that propels an object in a given direction, especially when generated by the object itself, as by an engine or rocket.

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Other Word Forms

  • counterthrust noun
  • prethrust noun prethrust, prethrusting
  • unthrust adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of thrust1

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English thrusten, thrysten (verb), from Old Norse thrȳsta “to force, press”
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Word History and Origins

Origin of thrust1

C12: from Old Norse thrysta; related to Latin trūdere; see intrude
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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.

China is by far the world’s largest producer of rare-earth elements, so the reported tightening of export controls has thrust U.S. producers of rare earths into the spotlight.

Read more on MarketWatch

The unsolved case of Madeleine's disappearance was thrust back into the spotlight last month after the top suspect was released from a German prison.

Read more on Barron's

Although they live within their means, Man-su’s termination jettisons the You family from their tax bracket and thrusts its patriarch down a rabbit hole of shame and emasculation.

Read more on Salon

I think he's started very strongly in what has been a difficult period for him because he's been thrust straight into action with no training time of note with us.

Read more on BBC

According to residents in Gaza City, Israel has reacted to this by conducting rapid thrusts into urban areas, before pulling back within hours.

Read more on BBC

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