What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
push
Example
I had to push the car to get it out of the mud. [push: verb]
Example
She gave the door a push to open it. [push: noun]
Example
The manager pushed the team to meet their sales targets. [push: verb]
thrust
Example
The rocket engines thrust the spacecraft into orbit. [thrust: verb]
Example
He made a sudden thrust with his sword. [thrust: noun]
Example
The nail's sharp point thrust into my finger. [thrust: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Push is more commonly used than thrust in everyday language and covers a wider range of contexts. Thrust is more specific and less common, often used in technical or specialized fields such as engineering or physics.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between push and thrust?
While push is versatile and can be used in various formality levels, thrust is more formal and technical in nature, making it more appropriate for formal or academic writing.
