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
Synonyms
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
Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 20 Nov. 2024
Moderate Republicans could come into the spotlight Trump’s ambitious plans could thrust moderate Republicans into the spotlight.
—Laura Gersony, The Arizona Republic, 13 Nov. 2024
William Harwood, CBS News, 19 Nov. 2024
Widebody aircraft typically have many more seats and often have a range of over 9,000 miles and heavy engines with 80,000 pounds of thrust or more.
—Dean Donovan, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for thrust 
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Verb
Loud, brash, stylish, and unashamedly Southern, the Sonic Boom of the South brought the house down with their performance, getting the crowd on their feet, waving towels, and thrusting their fists.
—Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 20 Nov. 2024
Moderate Republicans could come into the spotlight Trump’s ambitious plans could thrust moderate Republicans into the spotlight.
—Laura Gersony, The Arizona Republic, 13 Nov. 2024
Noun
The Super Heavy booster is powered by 33 Raptor engines burning liquid methane and oxygen to generate more than 16 million pounds of thrust at full throttle, more than twice the liftoff power of NASA's legendary Saturn 5 moon rocket.
—William Harwood, CBS News, 19 Nov. 2024
Widebody aircraft typically have many more seats and often have a range of over 9,000 miles and heavy engines with 80,000 pounds of thrust or more.
—Dean Donovan, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for thrust
Dictionary Entries Near thrust
Cite this Entry
“Thrust.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thrust. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
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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