push

To press against something with force to move it away from you.

• Push the door to open it.
• She pushed the cart up the hill.
• Can you help me push this car?

How to use it: push something away from someone/something (He pushed the box away from the door.)

Similar words: shove

Opposites: pull

Common phrases: push a door, push something away, push a button

To keep trying to make people accept an idea or buy a product.

• They keep pushing their new phone.
• She pushed the idea at every meeting.
• Why are you still pushing this issue?

Similar words: promote, press, advocate

Common phrases: push a product, push an idea, push an agenda

To press something forward or take it further, sometimes beyond a sensible limit.

• Don’t push your luck.
• He pushed his objections too far.
• The experiment pushes the limits of current technology.

How to use it: push something too far (She pushed the argument too far and upset everyone.)

Similar words: press

Common phrases: push your luck, push something too far, push the limits

An act of pressing against something with force to move it away.

• The door needs a push.
• She gave the swing a gentle push.
• A few strong pushes got the car moving.

How to use it: give someone/something a push (Give the door a push to open it.)

Similar words: shove

Opposites: pull

Common phrases: give a push, a gentle push, a hard push

A strong effort to achieve something, often involving several people.

• We need one final push.
• The sales push brought in new customers.
• Their push for reform gained public support.

How to use it: a push to do something (The team made a final push to finish the project.); a push for something (There is a growing push for better public transport.)

Similar words: effort, drive, campaign

Common phrases: final push, push for something, push to finish

An effort using your stomach muscles to force something out of your body, especially a baby.

• The nurse asked for another push.
• With one strong push, the baby was born.
• She rested between pushes during the birth.

Common phrases: one more push, a strong push, final push