thrust

1 of 2

verb

ˈthrəst 

thrust; thrusting

transitive verb

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

3

: extend, spread

4

: stab, pierce

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

intransitive verb

1

a

: to force an entrance or passage

b

: to push forward : press onward

c

: to push upward : project

2

: to make a thrust, stab, or lunge with or as if with a pointed weapon

thrust at them with a knife

thrust

2 of 2

noun

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

3

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

Verb

• drive
• propel
• push
• shove

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

Verb

This year, the day marks the 83rd anniversary of the surprise attack that thrust the U.S. into World War II. More than 2,400 American service men and women were killed in the early attack launched by Japan at the United States Navy Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024

Helen has worked tirelessly to maintain her operation, but an extramarital affair thrusts her into a tense and intricate web of conspiracies and cover-ups involving multiple governments and organizations. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 5 Dec. 2024

Noun

In some cases, quakes here can cause vertical thrusts that drive tsunamis. —Jesus Jiménez, New York Times, 6 Dec. 2024

Jet engines produce more thrust at cooler temperatures and the Mojave air is smoothest early in the day, which is why the flights are scheduled for just after sun up. —J. George Gorant, Robb Report, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English thrusten, thristen, from Old Norse thrȳsta; probably akin to Old Norse thrjōta to tire, Old English thrēat coercion — more at threat

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4a

Phrases Containing thrust

• counter-thrust
• cut and thrust
• thrust into the limelight
• thrust on/upon
• thrust stage

Kids Definition

thrust

1 of 2 verb

ˈthrəst 

thrust; thrusting

1

: to push or drive with force : shove

2

: to cause to enter or pierce something by pushing

thrust a knife into the bread

3

: to press or force the acceptance of upon someone

thrust new responsibilities upon her

thrust

2 of 2 noun

1

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