Thrust has 15 different meanings across 2 categories:
Noun
· Verb
Noun
1
the force used in pushing
"the push of the water on the walls of the tank"
"the thrust of the jet engines"
2
a strong blow with a knife or other sharp pointed instrument
"one strong stab to the heart killed him"
3
the act of applying force to propel something
"after reaching the desired velocity the drive is cut off"
4
verbal criticism
"he enlivened his editorials with barbed thrusts at politicians"
5
a sharp hand gesture (resembling a blow)
"he warned me with a jab with his finger"
"he made a thrusting motion with his fist"
6
An attack made by moving the sword parallel to its length and landing with the point.
"The knight delivered a decisive thrust that pierced his opponent's armor before he could block."
In plain English: Thrust is a strong push that moves something forward with force.
"The sudden thrust of his hand caused me to spill my coffee."
Usage: Use this word specifically when describing an attack where a blade is driven forward along its own axis rather than swung sideways or arced. It distinguishes a direct, linear strike from other types of sword blows that rely on cutting motion.
Verb
1
push forcefully
"He thrust his chin forward"
2
press or force
"Stuff money into an envelope"
"She thrust the letter into his hand"
3
make a thrusting forward movement
"The swimmer made a powerful thrust forward to break the surface of the water."
4
impose urgently, importunately, or inexorably
"She forced her diet fads on him"
5
penetrate or cut through with a sharp instrument
"The surgeon carefully thrust the scalpel through the skin to reach the infected tissue."
6
force (molten rock) into pre-existing rock
"The volcanic eruption thrust molten magma deep into the surrounding sedimentary layers, creating new fissures in the mountain's crust."
7
push upward
"The front of the trains that had collided head-on thrust up into the air"
8
place or put with great energy
"She threw the blanket around the child"
"thrust the money in the hands of the beggar"
9
To make advance with force.
"The soldier thrust his spear forward to strike down the enemy."
In plain English: To thrust something is to push it forward with sudden force, often by jabbing or ramming it into another object.
"The coach instructed us to thrust our hips forward during the sprint to gain more speed."
Example Sentences
"The sudden thrust of his hand caused me to spill my coffee."
noun
"The sudden thrust of the elevator made everyone stumble backward."
noun
"He felt a sharp thrust in his chest during the intense workout."
noun
"During the debate, she used a rhetorical thrust to silence her opponent."
noun
"The coach instructed us to thrust our hips forward during the sprint to gain more speed."
verb
Related Terms
Show all 108 terms ↓
Broader Terms (hypernyms)
Narrower Terms (hyponyms)
Origin
Thrust comes from the Old Norse word þrysta, which entered Middle English as þrusten. Its original meaning was to push or drive forward forcefully.