What does "thrust" mean?
An attack made by moving the sword parallel to its length and landing with the point.
Thrust
/θɹʌst/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: An attack made by moving the sword parallel to its length and landing with the point.
- Grammar: thrust is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: drive, driving force, jab, push.
- Useful contrasts: drag, drags, friction.
- Usage evidence: Don't thrust your knife into the cheese.
How to use "thrust"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "thrust" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "thrust" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "thrust" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "thrust" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "thrust" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "drive" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "thrust", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An attack made by moving the sword parallel to its length and landing with the point. countable, uncountable
"Pierre was a master swordsman, and could parry the thrusts of lesser men with barely a thought."
- 2 the act of applying force to propel something wordnet
- 3 A push, stab, or lunge forward (the act thereof.) countable, uncountable
"The cutpurse tried to knock her satchel from her hands, but she avoided his thrust and yelled, "Thief!""
- 4 a sharp hand gesture (resembling a blow) wordnet
- 5 The force generated by propulsion, as in a jet engine. countable, uncountable
"Spacecraft are engineering marvels, designed to resist the thrust of liftoff, as well as the reverse pressure of the void."
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 a strong blow with a knife or other sharp pointed instrument wordnet
- 7 The primary effort; the goal. countable, figuratively, uncountable
"Ostensibly, the class was about public health in general, but the main thrust was really sex education."
- 8 verbal criticism wordnet
- 9 the force used in pushing wordnet
Verb
- 1 To make advance with force. intransitive
"We thrust at the enemy with our forces."
- 2 impose urgently, importunately, or inexorably wordnet
- 3 To force something upon someone. transitive
"I asked her not to thrust the responsibility on me."
- 4 penetrate or cut through with a sharp instrument wordnet
- 5 To push out or extend rapidly or powerfully. transitive
"He thrust his arm into the icy stream and grabbed a wriggling fish, astounding the observers."
Show 9 more definitions
- 6 place or put with great energy wordnet
- 7 To push or drive with force; to shove. transitive
"to thrust anything with the hand or foot, or with an instrument"
- 8 push forcefully wordnet
- 9 To enter by pushing; to squeeze in. intransitive
"And thrust between my father and the god."
- 10 make a thrusting forward movement wordnet
- 11 To stab; to pierce; usually with through.
- 12 press or force wordnet
- 13 push violently in a specified direction wordnet
- 14 force (molten rock) into pre-existing rock wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Don't thrust your knife into the cheese."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "thrust"?
Common synonyms include: drive, driving force, jab, push, stab, a shove.
How do you use "thrust" in a sentence?
Don't thrust your knife into the cheese.
How do you pronounce "thrust"?
Pronounced /θɹʌst/.
Etymology
From Middle English þrusten, from Old Norse þrysta, from Proto-Germanic *þrustijaną, possibly from Proto-Indo-European *trewd-.