Encourage vs. Push — What's the Difference?

To inspire with hope, courage, or confidence.

To apply pressure against (something), especially for the purpose of moving it

To give support to; foster

To move (something) by exerting force against it; thrust or shove

To stimulate; spur

To exert downward pressure on (a button or keyboard, for example); press.

To mentally support; to motivate, give courage, hope or spirit.

To force (one's way)

To spur on, strongly recommend.

To urge forward or urge insistently; pressure

To foster, give help or patronage

To extend or enlarge

To give courage to; to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope; to raise, or to increase, the confidence of; to animate; enhearten; to incite; to help forward; - the opposite of discourage.

(Informal) To approach in age

Contribute to the progress or growth of;

(Informal) To promote or sell (a product)

Inspire with confidence; give hope or courage to

(Slang) To sell (a narcotic) illegally

Spur on;

(Sports) To hit (a ball) in the direction toward the dominant hand of the player propelling it, as to the right of a right-handed player.

To exert pressure or force against something

To advance despite difficulty or opposition; press forward

To advocate or recommend something insistently

To expend great or vigorous effort

The act of pushing; a thrust

The act of pressing

A vigorous or insistent effort toward an end; a drive

A provocation to action; a stimulus

(Informal) Persevering energy; enterprise

To apply a force to (an object) such that it moves away from the person or thing applying the force.

(transitive) To continually attempt to persuade (a person) into a particular course of action.

(transitive) To press or urge forward; to drive.

(transitive) To continually promote (a point of view, a product for sale, etc.).

(intransitive) To continually exert oneself in order to achieve a goal.

To approach; to come close to.

(intransitive) To tense the muscles in the abdomen in order to expel its contents.

(intransitive) To continue to attempt to persuade a person into a particular course of action.

To make a higher bid at an auction.

(poker) To make an all-in bet.

To move (a pawn) directly forward.

(computing) To add (a data item) to the top of a stack.

(computing) To publish (an update, etc.) by transmitting it to other computers.

(obsolete) To thrust the points of the horns against; to gore.

To burst out of its pot, as a bud or shoot.

(snooker) To strike the cue ball in such a way that it stays in contact with the cue and object ball at the same time (a foul shot).

A short, directed application of force; an act of pushing.

An act of tensing the muscles of the abdomen in order to expel its contents.

A great effort (to do something).

An attempt to persuade someone into a particular course of action.

(military) A marching or drill maneuver/manoeuvre performed by moving a formation (especially a company front) forward or toward the audience, usually to accompany a dramatic climax or crescendo in the music.

A wager that results in no loss or gain for the bettor as a result of a tie or even score

(computing) The addition of a data item to the top of a stack.

The situation where a server sends data to a client without waiting for a request.

A particular crowd or throng or people.

(snooker) A foul shot in which the cue ball is in contact with the cue and the object ball at the same time

A pustule; a pimple.

A pustule; a pimple.

A thrust with a pointed instrument, or with the end of a thing.

Any thrust. pressure, impulse, or force, or force applied; a shove; as, to give the ball the first push.

An assault or attack; an effort; an attempt; hence, the time or occasion for action.

The faculty of overcoming obstacles; aggressive energy; as, he has push, or he has no push.

A crowd; a company or clique of associates; a gang.

To press against with force; to drive or impel by pressure; to endeavor to drive by steady pressure, without striking; - opposed to draw.

To thrust the points of the horns against; to gore.

To press or urge forward; to drive; to push an objection too far.

To bear hard upon; to perplex; to embarrass.

To importune; to press with solicitation; to tease.

To make a thrust; to shove; as, to push with the horns or with a sword.

To make an advance, attack, or effort; to be energetic; as, a man must push in order to succeed.

To burst pot, as a bud or shoot.

The act of applying force in order to move something away;

The force used in pushing;

Enterprising or ambitious drive;

An electrical switch operated by pressing a button;

An effort to advance;

Move with force,

Press, drive, or impel (someone) to action or completion of an action;

Make publicity for; try to sell (a product);

Strive and make an effort to reach a goal;

Press against forcefully without being able to move;

Approach a certain age or speed;

Exert oneself continuously, vigorously, or obtrusively to gain an end or engage in a crusade for a certain cause or person; be an advocate for;

Sell or promote the sale of (illegal goods such as drugs);

Move strenuously and with effort;

Make strenuous pushing movements during birth to expel the baby;