PUSHING Synonyms: 136 Similar and Opposite Words

pushing 1 of 2

adjective

ˈpu̇-shiŋ

Definition of pushing

as in ambitious

having a strong desire for personal advancement among the young associates at the law firm, he was unmistakably the most pushing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in busy

thrusting oneself where one is not welcome or invited the sort of sycophantic, pushing man on the make that everyone loves to hate

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

pushing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of push

as in shoving

to apply force to (someone or something) so that it moves in front of one I had to push my damaged bike all the way home

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in squeezing

to force one's way we had to push our way through a crowd that was mostly headed in the opposite direction

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 pushing

Adjective

The weight limit was a necessary move to equalize race conditions and curb the use of athletic specialists who, although not bobsledders, have in the past proven decisive in their teams’ success through the pushing phase. — Alessio Caprodossi, Wired News, 15 Feb. 2026 Musk plunged into a controversy of his own making after tweeting and deleting a post pushing baseless allegations about the attack on Paul Pelosi, the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. — Hamza Shaban, Washington Post, 4 Nov. 2022

Verb

The state last week filed documents pushing back on Murdaugh’s request to send DNA found under Maggie’s fingernails to an independent laboratory for more advanced testing. — Devon M. Sayers, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026 As thousands of car enthusiasts prepare to descend on Metro Detroit for the annual Woodward Dream Cruise, a Michigan lawmaker is pushing legislation to crack down on excessively loud vehicles. — Terell Bailey, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026 Some conservatives were outraged online over the project plan, while others urged people to take a more measured approach, noting that the new stations are not about pushing any ideology. — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2026 Meanwhile, rookie fourth-round pick Trey Moore is pushing to be a starter in the base 4-3 defense. — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026 Anna Moneymaker | Getty Images Meanwhile, a pair of prominent Democrats is pushing Trump for clarity on his investments. — Alex Harring, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026 The company has leaned into original productions in recent years, distributing its shows across multiple devices domestically while pushing Asian content out to audiences abroad through its overseas streaming arm. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026 In China, top leaders are pushing the adoption of Artificial Intelligence. — Jennifer Pak, NPR, 13 Aug. 2026 Ali Tager, an NCA vice president, said on the On The Margin podcast that about a third of small and mid-sized businesses already accept crypto, and that their own customers are pushing. — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pushing

Adjective

The change could reshape one of the most ambitious AI infrastructure projects in the US.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026
Hathaway tells them to be ambitious and creative, and the designers do have a bigger budget of $700, but once again, only one day.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of ambitious

Adjective

Also handily located for the railway station and the busy East Coast line that runs from London to Scotland.

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Once the couple can fit the celebration into their busy schedules, Reba alum Melissa Peterman is ready to make their wedding cake.

— Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of busy

Verb

While the officials showed little interest in restoring order, Cunningham responded by shoving Sheldon onto the hardwood.

— Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Key Background Emily Moreno has accused Miller of a pattern of physically and verbally abusive behavior, including throwing scalding water on her, shoving her and holding a gun to her head.

— Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of shoving

Verb

Washington is trying to choke Iran's ability to get its crude out while Tehran is squeezing the artery through which everybody else's crude gets through.

— Frank Andrews, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Chances are you answer emails while sitting in meetings, listen to podcasts while exercising, scroll your phone while standing in line and congratulate ourselves for squeezing more into every hour.

— Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of squeezing

Adjective

The pair are best friends of Fabian Salah, an aspiring musician who makes up one half of the main couple in that novel alongside hockey player Ryan Price.

— Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2026
Then there’s Casey Trotter as an aspiring drummer named Cliff.

— Sarah Hearon, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of aspiring

Verb

These types of conversations help teens feel understood and strengthen trust, while uncovering more about what is really driving the desire to change up their look.

— Liz Regalia, Parents, 10 Aug. 2026
Nearly 30 years to the day that Shakur was gunned down in the passenger seat of a BMW Knight was driving, Davis is accused of murder for allegedly giving his crew the order to open fire on Shakur in retaliation for a fight.

— Sasha Pezenik, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of driving

Verb

Malawi upset Nigeria with a 3-2 victory in their first WAFCON match on July 28, thrusting the Super Falcons in a nervy third-place position in their group following Zambia’s 6-0 victory over Egypt the same day.

— Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 6 Aug. 2026
Pressure also mounted after opposition leader Rahul Gandhi staged a sit-in outside Modi’s residence Tuesday, thrusting the Cockroaches to the center of India’s political debate.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026

Definition of thrusting

Cite this Entry

Style

“Pushing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pushing. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of pushing

adjective

verb

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