# thrust

/ˈθɹəst/ (US) · /θɹˈʌst/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/thrust
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to push forcefully

verb · CEFR B2

to push something or someone suddenly and with a lot of force.

For teachers: to push or drive something with sudden, significant force in a specific direction.

- He thrust the heavy door open and ran into the street.
- The crowd surged forward, and she was thrust against the metal railing by the sheer weight of the people behind her.

### 2. to force upon

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to force someone to accept or deal with something they did not want.

For teachers: to force someone to accept a responsibility, role, or situation against their will or without preparation.

- The leadership of the company was thrust upon him after the CEO resigned.
- He found himself thrust into the international spotlight, a position he had neither sought nor desired during his quiet academic career.

### 3. engine power

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

the strong force that pushes a plane or rocket forward.

For teachers: the propulsive force produced by a jet engine or rocket motor to overcome drag and gravity.

- The rocket needs a huge amount of thrust to leave the Earth's atmosphere.
- Engineers worked to increase the engine's thrust-to-weight ratio to ensure the aircraft could take off from shorter runways.

### 4. main point

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

the main idea or purpose of an argument, speech, or policy.

For teachers: the principal purpose or central theme of a piece of writing, argument, or policy.

- The main thrust of her speech was that we need to protect the environment.
- While the report covered many minor issues, the central thrust of the investigation focused on systemic financial mismanagement.

### 5. a sudden lunge

noun · CEFR B2

a sudden, powerful movement forward, often with a weapon like a sword.

For teachers: a sudden or violent lunge or push, particularly a stabbing motion with a pointed weapon.

- The fencer won the match with a final, quick thrust of his blade.
- He parried the first attack but was unable to dodge the second thrust, which caught him off balance.

## Examples

- The main thrust of his speech was that we need more funding.
- While the report covered many small details, the central thrust was that the current policy is failing.
- The philosophical thrust of the novel challenges the reader to reconsider the nature of free will in an increasingly automated society.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.