thrust

USAGE SUMMARY

"thrust" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb that means to push forcefully. Example: The knight thrust his sword forward in a brave display.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ebola thrust Pooley on to the world stage, but all he ever wanted to do was get back to Sierra Leone to help fight the "real emergency".

The Guardian

He still thrust former Labour minister Andrew Adonis's book on education into friends' hands, and said: "This is everything I believe".

The Guardian

That lack of attacking presence, even with Dimitar Berbatov thrust on at the interval, eventually caught up with them.

The Guardian - Sport

And yet Foxx has now made his peace with the basic thrust of Tarantino's assault.

The Guardian - Film

This overlooks the fact that the two can rarely be ­separated: a facade could be an integral part of a building's structure, as well as providing its main artistic thrust.

The Guardian - Arts

Tonight saw Brown and Cameron finally getting down to the kind of brutal cut and thrust over the economy ("David, you're wrong about that") missing from previous debates, with the prime minister scoring some good points.

The Guardian - Opinion

The broad thrust of policy for those who sympathise with violence was so-called "drain the swamp" activities, including encouraging non-violent means of expression, coupled with attempts to show it could make a difference.

The Guardian - Opinion

Through what lack of imagination do you make LFs with the first faces thrust before your own?

The Guardian

Another environmentalist said he had been left "paranoid and mistrustful of people" after police made unannounced visits to his home, and followed him and his four-year-old daughter to a supermarket where they tried to thrust cash into his hands.

The Guardian

Some residents claimed they had been misled about the thrust of the programme and that producers deliberately withheld the title from them.

The Guardian

The script for the summit has been written in Berlin, indicating how the crisis has thrust Germany to the fore in Europe in a way unparalleled since the country was reunified 20 years ago.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "thrust" in a technical context, ensure the directional aspect is clear. For example, specify whether the thrust is forward, upward, or lateral to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "thrust" intransitively when a clear object is needed. Saying "He thrust" is incomplete; specify what he thrust, such as "He thrust the door open" or "He thrust his sword."

Linguistic Context

Thrust primarily functions as both a verb and a noun. As a verb, it describes the action of pushing or driving with force. As a noun, it signifies the force generated by propulsion or the main point of an argument. Ludwig AI affirms the usability of "thrust" in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

25%

Opinion

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Thrust" is a versatile term, functioning as both a verb and a noun to convey the idea of force or propulsion, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. Its usage is very common, particularly in news, sports, and opinion pieces. While grammatically correct, clarity is essential when using "thrust" to avoid ambiguity. As Ludwig examples show, understanding the subtle nuances of its usage is critical for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exert force

Emphasizes the application of physical strength or power in a directed manner, similar to the forceful nature of "thrust".

apply pressure

Focuses on the sustained exertion of force, whereas "thrust" implies a more sudden or intense application.

make a lunge

Specifically refers to a sudden forward movement, a more specialized form of "thrust" often used in combat or sports.

direct energy

Highlights the channeling of power towards a specific goal, aligning with the idea of directed force in "thrust".

extend rapidly

Captures the quick, outward motion implied by "thrust", focusing on the speed of the movement.

drive forward

Stresses the progression in a particular direction, akin to the forward momentum associated with "thrust".

propel onward

Emphasizes the continuous movement or progression, similar to maintaining a state of "thrust".

impel ahead

Highlights the motivating force pushing something forward, akin to the initiating force of a "thrust".

press onward

Suggests continuous application of force to maintain forward movement, differing from the potentially singular action of a "thrust".

project outward

Focuses on the act of extending or casting something outward, akin to the directional force in "thrust".

FAQs

How can I use "thrust" in a sentence?

You can use "thrust" as a verb to mean 'to push forcefully', as in 'She "thrust" the door open'. It can also be a noun, referring to a forward push or force, like 'The engine provided powerful "thrust"'.

What's the difference between "thrust" and "push"?

"Thrust" implies a more sudden and forceful application of pressure compared to "push", which can be a more gradual and sustained action. For instance, you might "push" a door gently, but you "thrust" it open in anger.

What are some synonyms for "thrust" when referring to a main idea?

When "thrust" refers to the main idea or point, you can use synonyms such as "gist", "essence", or "core".

Is it correct to use "thrust" to describe someone being put into a situation?

Yes, "thrust" can be used to describe someone being suddenly or unexpectedly put into a situation, as in 'He was "thrust" into the leadership role after the manager resigned'.