shoved away

USAGE SUMMARY

"shoved away" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe the action of forcefully pushing someone or something away. Example: He was shoved away from the crowd during the commotion. Alternative expressions include "pushed away" and "thrown aside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

About 10 police officers appeared, shoved away organizers who tried to intervene, the statement said, and "Tsundue was dragged to his feet and forced out the back door".

The New York Times

The sensation that Trump has shoved away his plate of scallops and demanded that someone bring him a big bowl of Sugar Puffs and a mixing spoon.

The Guardian - Opinion

He shoved away his desire to schmooze with Santa, but days later, Santa drew his focus again when we drove by glittering lights on trees in our town's main green.

The New York Times

The menace had been all German, the South Americans' anxiety prompting a huddle just inside the mouth of the tunnel as they sought urgency with the intrusive television cameras shoved away by Martín Demichelis.

The Guardian - Sport

While Favre hobbled to a news conference after the game, a smattering of Saints fans clapped before one charged toward him and had to be shoved away before he threw a cup of water in Favre's direction.

The New York Times - Sports

Any suggestions Bayern may be taking it easy were dispelled further at the break as Robert Lewandowski and Arjen Robben came on, and the former was straight into the action with an effort that Akinfeev shoved away.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

God makes holy what people shove away, and I'm here just to celebrate that".

The New York Times

The Al-Aqsa Intifada started in September, 2000, when Ariel Sharon, bare-headed, surrounded by hundreds of police officers, shoving away bystanders, came to the Temple Mount to stake a claim to the "holiest place in Jerusalem".

The New Yorker

In his new piece, "Tactics," the dancers react so strongly to unseen forces — shoving away, taking in, pursuing, evading — that the forces become almost visible; it's high-energy dancing pushed into the realm of mime.

The New Yorker

When Sam Cowart again met Ricky Williams Sunday night, as Williams took a pitch from Ray Lucas, it was as if Cowart were trying to shove away the early-season defensive failures with as much ease as he was pushing Williams backward and off the field for a 6-yard loss.

The New York Times - Sports

Hank initially shoves away the notebook, but begins to read it later that night.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Apply this phrase metaphorically to describe suppressing unwanted emotions or intrusive thoughts.

Common error

Do not confuse "shoved away" with the idiom "shove off". While the former describes moving an object to create distance, "shove off" is an informal (and often rude) way to tell someone to leave or to describe the act of a boat departing from a shore.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shoved away" functions as a transitive phrasal verb. It consists of the base verb 'shove' (meaning to push roughly) and the adverbial particle 'away'. In most contexts observed in Ludwig, it requires a direct object, whether that object is a physical item like a plate or a person being physically moved.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Wiki

12%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "shoved away" is a versatile and correct phrasal verb used to describe the act of forcefully moving something or someone to a distance. According to Ludwig AI, it is highly prevalent in journalism, appearing in reputable sources like The New York Times to describe everything from police interventions to the suppression of personal emotions. While it is physically descriptive, its metaphorical application—such as "shoving away a desire"—is equally common. Writers should use it to convey a sense of force or intentionality that a simpler verb like "pushed" might lack, while being careful not to confuse it with the distinct idiom "shove off".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pushed away

General alternative that is slightly less aggressive than shoving

shoved aside

Moves the object to the side rather than directly away

cast aside

Suggests a more permanent or metaphorical rejection

brushed off

Implies a casual or dismissive rejection of an idea or person

repelled

More formal term for driving something back or away

dismissed

Specifically used for ideas or authority figures rather than physical objects

rebuffed

Refers to a sharp or abrupt rejection of an offer or person

forced back

Emphasizes the use of power to create distance

discarded

Used when the object shoved away is treated as trash or unnecessary

rejected

The most general term for refusing to accept something

FAQs

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

You can use it for physical actions, such as "He "shoved away" his plate when he was finished", or for abstract concepts like "She "shoved away her fears" to focus on the task."

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

While both imply forceful movement, "shoved away" emphasizes creating distance from the subject, whereas "shoved aside" suggests moving something out of the path to make room for something else.

Can I use "shoved away" in formal writing?

Yes, it is acceptable in journalism and narrative prose. However, in strictly academic or legal contexts, you might prefer more clinical terms like "repelled" or "forcibly removed".

Is "shoved away" always physical?

No, it is frequently used in psychological contexts. As seen in Ludwig examples, authors often write about how difficult emotions or memories are "shoved away" by the mind.