thrust
/θrʌst/ (bre, ipa) · /θrʌst/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈthrəst/ (ame, mw)
thrust — verb
- thrustpresent simple I / you / we / they
- thrustshe / she / it
- thrusting-ing form
1. to push something or someone forward or in a particular direction with sudden, r
to push something or someone forward or in a particular direction with sudden, rough force
Arjun thrust the letter into my hand and walked away before I could say anything.
thrust + object + into [place]
Mei-Lin thrust her hands deep into her coat pockets to keep them warm.
A thick root had thrust up through a crack in the old pavement.
Diego thrust the heavy box toward the shelf and managed to slide it into place.
The rescue workers thrust their way through the crowd to reach the injured child.
- pull
to move something towards yourself instead of away
文法句型
thrust + object + adverb/preposition
thrust + adverb/preposition
用法筆記
Often used with a preposition or adverb showing direction, such as into, through, toward, up, or forward.
常見錯誤
2. to push a pointed weapon or sharp object quickly into someone or something, caus
to push a pointed weapon or sharp object quickly into someone or something, causing injury or damage
Omar thrust the knife into the leather and began cutting the strap along the mark.
thrust + [sharp object] + into [material]
In the training session, Yuki thrust her practice sword at the dummy's chest.
Amara thrust the needle through the thick fabric and pulled the thread tight.
The soldier thrust his bayonet forward as the enemy approached the trench.
文法句型
thrust + object + into/through + object
用法筆記
This sense is specifically about piercing or stabbing with a pointed object. Distinguish from sense 1 (PUSH SUDDENLY), where the action pushes but does not necessarily pierce.
3. to force someone to accept, listen to, or deal with something they do not want,
to force someone to accept, listen to, or deal with something they do not want, especially your own opinions, ideas, or presence
Sophie kept thrusting her political opinions upon everyone at the family dinner.
thrust + opinions + upon + someone
The young actor was thrust into the spotlight before he felt ready for it.
passive: was thrust into [situation]
Anika did not want to thrust her religious beliefs on her classmates.
The new manager was thrust into a difficult situation on her first day at work.
- impose
more formal; thrust feels more physical and forceful
- force upon
very similar in meaning, but thrust often implies suddenness
- withdraw
to take back opinions or remove someone from a situation
文法句型
thrust + something + on/upon + someone
thrust + someone + into + something
用法筆記
Frequently in the passive (be thrust into) when describing someone forced into an unwanted role or situation. The active pattern (thrust something on/upon someone) usually has the person as the subject.
常見錯誤
thrust — noun
- thrustsingular
- thrustsplural
1. the main idea, message, or purpose of something that is said, written, or argued
the main idea, message, or purpose of something that is said, written, or argued about
The main thrust of the professor's lecture was the urgent need to protect the ocean.
the main thrust of [speech/writing]
Elena understood the general thrust of the argument even though she missed the first part.
The thrust of the new policy is to cut down on food waste in schools.
What is the central thrust of the report you are writing for the committee?
用法筆記
Almost always used with of: the thrust of an argument, speech, article, policy, etc. Commonly preceded by main, central, or general.
常見錯誤
2. a sudden, strong pushing movement forward or upward
a sudden, strong pushing movement forward or upward
With one strong thrust, Clara pushed the heavy wooden door open.
with one strong thrust — single forceful effort
The boat rocked violently with each thrust of the waves against its side.
Jack used his shoulder to give the stuck window a hard thrust upward.
A sudden thrust from the crowd pushed the gates wide open.
- pull
a movement towards the body rather than away from it
用法筆記
Often countable (a thrust, the thrust) and used with physical force against objects. Can be used with give (give something a thrust) for a single action.
3. the strong forward force produced by an engine, such as in an aircraft or rocket
the strong forward force produced by an engine, such as in an aircraft or rocket, that moves it through air or space
The rocket's thrust lifted it off the launch pad and sent it into the sky.
rocket's thrust — collocation
The jet engines produced enough thrust to carry three hundred passengers across the Atlantic.
produce/enough thrust
Without enough thrust, the small plane could not take off from the short runway.
The engineers checked the thrust of each engine carefully before the test flight.
- propulsion
broader term referring to the whole process of moving forward, not just the force
- push
less technical and less specific to engines
- drag
the force that slows an aircraft or vehicle down
用法筆記
Used in technical contexts about aircraft, rockets, jet engines, and propellers. Not used for car engines — cars produce power or torque, not thrust.
常見錯誤
4. a quick forward movement with a knife, sword, or other pointed weapon to injure
a quick forward movement with a knife, sword, or other pointed weapon to injure or threaten someone
The soldier avoided his enemy's first thrust and struck back with his own blade.
avoid/parry a thrust — fencing/fighting pattern
The detective examined the wound and saw a single deep thrust from a kitchen knife.
In fencing practice, a well-timed thrust can earn a point very quickly.
Somsak parried the training sword's thrust and stepped forward to counter-attack.
用法筆記
Most common in descriptions of sword fights, fencing, knife attacks, and historical combat. Frequently paired with verbs like parry, block, avoid, or counter.
5. a sharp, critical remark aimed at someone in order to hurt or upset them, especi
a sharp, critical remark aimed at someone in order to hurt or upset them, especially during a discussion or argument
During the debate, both candidates made sharp thrusts at each other's policies.
sharp thrusts at [someone/something]
Nadia felt hurt by her colleague's thrust about her lack of teaching experience.
The newspaper article was a pointed thrust at the mayor's handling of the flood crisis.
Lucia's comment was a cruel thrust at her brother's career choice.
用法筆記
Often paired with adjectives like sharp, pointed, bitter, or cruel to show the tone of the criticism. This sense is metaphorical, derived from sense 4 (KNIFE STAB).