thrust; thrusting
1
: to push or drive with force : shove
2
: to cause to enter or pierce something by or as if by pushing
thrust a dagger into his heart
5
a
: to put (someone, such as an unwilling person) forcibly into a course of action or position
was thrust into the job
b
: to introduce often improperly into a position : interpolate
6
: to press, force, or impose the acceptance of upon someone
thrust new responsibilities upon her
1
2
: to make a thrust, stab, or lunge with or as if with a pointed weapon
thrust at them with a knife
1
a
: a forward or upward push
b
: a movement (as by a group of people) in a specified direction
2
a
: salient or essential element or meaning
the thrust of the argument
b
: principal concern or objective
the plan's major thrust is testing—
Ryan Lizza
Ryan Lizza3
a
: a strong continued pressure
b
: the sideways force or pressure of one part of a structure against another part (as of an arch against an abutment)
c
: the force produced by a propeller or by a jet or rocket engine that drives a vehicle (such as an aircraft) forward
d
: a nearly horizontal geologic fault
4
a
: a push or lunge with a pointed weapon
b(1)
: a verbal attack
(2)
: a military assault
Examples of thrust in a Sentence
Verb
He thrust his hands into his pockets.
He thrust his fist into the air.
The doctor thrust the needle into the patient's arm.
He thrust at me with his sword.
Noun
With one last thrust he broke through the barrier.
a single thrust of his sword
Recent Examples on the Web
Travis Bean, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
The pair is eventually thrust into the crosshairs of the Marshalls' war on the creepers, a conflict that gives way to what is perhaps Bong's most hopeful film ending to date.
—Megan McCluskey, TIME, 7 Mar. 2025
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 9 Mar. 2025
Together they are designed to provide the 8.8 million pounds of thrust to propel Orion to deep-space destinations.
—Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thrust
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Verb
Led by the enigmatic Matt Graver (Josh Brolin) and accompanied by the shadowy operative Alejandro (Benicio del Toro), Kate is thrust into a brutal and morally murky world where the lines between justice and lawlessness blur.
—Travis Bean, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
The pair is eventually thrust into the crosshairs of the Marshalls' war on the creepers, a conflict that gives way to what is perhaps Bong's most hopeful film ending to date.
—Megan McCluskey, TIME, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
The movie, full of extraordinary footage, returns us to that moment when the promise of space carried a spiritual thrust.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 9 Mar. 2025
Together they are designed to provide the 8.8 million pounds of thrust to propel Orion to deep-space destinations.
—Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thrust
Cite this Entry
“Thrust.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thrust. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
thrust
2 of 2 noun1
a
: a push or lunge with a pointed weapon
b
: a military attack
2
: the force produced by a propeller or jet or rocket engine that drives an aircraft or rocket forward
3
a
: a forward or upward push
b
: a movement (as by a group of people) in a particular direction
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