pushed away

USAGE SUMMARY

'pushed away' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever something is moved away from something else in a physical or metaphorical sense. For example, "She felt the tears rising and pushed away the emotion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Somehow, it was pushed away.

Independent

"I was pushed away.

The New York Times

So kids kind of got pushed away.

The New York Times

The attention also pushed away the anguish.

The New York Times

Van der Sar pushed away my shot.

The Guardian - Sport

I felt angry and pushed away.

The New York Times

I've pushed away fellow-prisoners, as well.

The New Yorker

They pushed away the idea that the pressure was mounting.

The New York Times - Sports

One fan pushed away his fish and chips.

The New York Times

I was the one being pushed away from the drugs.

The New York Times - Sports

A meal pushed away for lack of appetite.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scientific writing, ensure the subject performing the action is clear to distinguish between mechanical force and abstract interactions.

Common error

Avoid using "pushed away" when you actually mean "pushed aside". While "pushed away" emphasizes increasing the distance from the subject, "pushed aside" focuses on moving something to the periphery to clear a path.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pushed away" acts as a phrasal verb where the verb 'push' is combined with the adverbial particle 'away'. According to Ludwig, it functions transitively when an object is specified and can also appear in the passive voice (e.g. "was pushed away").

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "pushed away" is a highly versatile and correct phrasal verb in English. Ludwig AI demonstrates that it is frequently found in both literary and scientific contexts, ranging from a goalkeeper deflecting a ball to a person emotionally distancing themselves from others. It is characterized by its ability to describe movement that increases the distance between the subject and the object. When writing, it is important to distinguish it from similar phrases like "pushed aside", which suggests moving something to the periphery rather than directly away. Its neutral register and high frequency in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian confirm its status as a reliable choice for professional and creative writing alike.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thrust away

Suggests a sudden or violent push moving something further off.

shoved aside

Implies a more forceful or rude physical movement to one side.

displaced

A more formal term often used when something is moved from its proper position.

repelled

More common in scientific contexts to describe magnetic or chemical forces.

driven back

Suggests being forced to move away by an external pressure or opponent.

rebuffed

Used specifically for rejecting an offer, person, or social advance.

dismissed

Commonly used for treating a thought or person as unworthy of consideration.

turned away

Refers to denying entry or ignoring someone's presence.

cast off

Often used for removing something no longer wanted, like clothing or a burden.

set aside

Implies moving something to be dealt with later or ignoring it deliberately.

FAQs

How do I use "pushed away" in a sentence?

You can use "pushed away" to describe physical movement or social rejection. For example: "She felt overwhelmed and "pushed away her friends"" or "The goalkeeper "pushed away the ball"".

What is the difference between "pushed away" and "pushed aside"?

The phrase "pushed away" implies moving an object further into the distance, whereas "pushed aside" implies moving it to the left or right to make room or ignore it.

Can "pushed away" be used in scientific papers?

Yes, it is common in biology and physics. For example, Ludwig AI shows it used to describe how a "cell is pushed away" from its position or how a "molecule is pushed away" from an active site.

What are some synonyms for "pushed away"?

Depending on the context, you can use "repelled", "shoved away", "rejected" or "displaced".