1
as in pushing
to apply force to (someone or something) so that it moves in front of one
the cat thrust her paw under the couch, trying to reach her toy mouse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in rising
to move or extend upward
the butte thrusts up 300 feet from the floor of the valley
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of thrusting
But its panting, thrusting allure dimmed over time.
—
Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 2 Feb. 2026
Clearly looking to shock, Raimi depicts bodily injury in oozing detail, whether that means thrusting the camera into Bradley’s festering leg wound or watching one of the pair plunge their thumb into the eye socket of the other.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 26 Jan. 2026
After shutting down internet and mobile international communications on January 8, thrusting the country into digital darkness, the government carried out a massacre unprecedented even in the regime’s own violent history.
—Omid Memarian, The Atlantic, 25 Jan. 2026
Nix suffered a season-ending broken ankle on the final drive of Denver’s divisional-round win over Buffalo, thrusting Stidham — whose only snap this regular season was a Week 8 kneeldown — into the top spot for the AFC title game.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 22 Jan. 2026
The Huskies, plagued by opt-outs, had trouble identifying a quarterback to line up against Army at the Fenway Bowl before finally settling on thrusting true freshman Ksaan Farrar into the fire.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 19 Jan. 2026
Two weeks later, federal agents raided the homes of Thao and the Duongs, thrusting the investigation into public view.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2026
Workers walked out again Monday in the latest strike over pay and working conditions, thrusting the Louvre’s internal strain back into public view.
—Thomas Adamson, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
Despite the hike, workers walked out again Monday in the latest strike over pay and working conditions, thrusting the museum’s internal strain back into public view.
—Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 2 Feb. 2026
Clearly looking to shock, Raimi depicts bodily injury in oozing detail, whether that means thrusting the camera into Bradley’s festering leg wound or watching one of the pair plunge their thumb into the eye socket of the other.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 26 Jan. 2026
After shutting down internet and mobile international communications on January 8, thrusting the country into digital darkness, the government carried out a massacre unprecedented even in the regime’s own violent history.
—Omid Memarian, The Atlantic, 25 Jan. 2026
Nix suffered a season-ending broken ankle on the final drive of Denver’s divisional-round win over Buffalo, thrusting Stidham — whose only snap this regular season was a Week 8 kneeldown — into the top spot for the AFC title game.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 22 Jan. 2026
The Huskies, plagued by opt-outs, had trouble identifying a quarterback to line up against Army at the Fenway Bowl before finally settling on thrusting true freshman Ksaan Farrar into the fire.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 19 Jan. 2026
Two weeks later, federal agents raided the homes of Thao and the Duongs, thrusting the investigation into public view.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2026
Workers walked out again Monday in the latest strike over pay and working conditions, thrusting the Louvre’s internal strain back into public view.
—Thomas Adamson, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
Despite the hike, workers walked out again Monday in the latest strike over pay and working conditions, thrusting the museum’s internal strain back into public view.
—Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thrusting
Verb
-
Wiener is also pushing new legislation — called the No Kings Act — that would allow people in California to sue federal agents for violating their rights.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Home prices and mortgage rates have soared over the past several years, pushing home ownership out of reach for many Americans.—
Zach Halaschak,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Lawmakers in European powerhouse Germany have approved a government plan to attract more military recruits as the country tries to boost the ranks of its armed forces in the face of rising concern about the threat posed by Russia.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Takaichi had earlier laid out a record $783 billion budget for the next fiscal year starting April 1, on top of a $135 billion stimulus package introduced last year to help households with rising living costs.—
CNBC.com staff,
CNBC,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Most of the time, a child who is shoving at the playground or refusing to take turns with the blocks at daycare is just testing the boundaries of acceptable behavior.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes has been suspended one game for shoving the Washington Wizards mascot during pregame introductions, the NBA announced Wednesday.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But with no set end date, some workers stay for years, climbing the ranks.—
Miranda Dunlap,
jsonline.com,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The stock bounced back some last year, climbing 19%, and is now up 6% in 2026.—
Kristina Partsinevelos,Ari Levy,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The arrest report also stated that Ramirez-Mesa was driving at least twice the speed limit, which was 40 miles per hour.—
Ana Maria Soler,
CBS News,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Cops quickly determined the 42-year-old suspect was drunk behind the wheel and charged him with driving while intoxicated.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Courtesy Chris Rodgers, a photographer and volunteer firefighter, is seen ascending a ladder from a fire truck.—
CBSColorado.com Staff,
CBS News,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Set to turn 28 in September, the 2022 first-round pick is an ascending player with plenty of experience and film to grade.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
And while the technology has fueled soaring profits for companies—and promises to bring profound benefits to society—even top business leaders are doubling down on the need to intentionally preserve human connection.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
8 Feb. 2026
-
The pair lives on an isolated island in a converted prison, rendered in full coastal gothic mode at Steppenwolf by the set designer Collette Pollard, who makes fine use of the theater’s soaring vertical height.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Takaichi has pledged to revise security and defense policies by December to bolster Japan’s offensive military capabilities, lifting a ban on weapons exports and moving further away from the country’s postwar pacifist principles.—
Mari Yamaguchi,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Chip and Kasinee Tolman begin each day by lifting their two adult children out of bed and into their wheelchairs.—
Michael Cuglietta,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Thrusting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thrusting. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
