Push vs. Shove — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 27, 2024
Push involves applying force to move something away gently or gradually, whereas shove implies a rough or abrupt forceful action.
Difference Between Push and Shove
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Push typically refers to applying force to an object or person to move it away from oneself or the initiator of the force. This action can be gentle or firm, depending on the context and intention behind the action. On the other hand, shove denotes a more forceful, often sudden, and vigorous action, usually done with the intent to move something or someone quickly or to clear space.
When someone pushes something, it often implies a careful, calculated force applied to achieve a specific outcome, such as opening a door or sliding an object across a surface. Whereas, a shove carries a sense of urgency or frustration, possibly indicating a desire to quickly remove an obstacle or create distance from another person or object.
In terms of physical interaction, a push can be seen as a non-aggressive action, potentially part of a guided movement or supportive gesture. Conversely, a shove is typically viewed as aggressive or done in haste, reflecting a lack of patience or consideration for the object or person being moved.
Socially, to push someone can figuratively mean to encourage or motivate them towards a goal or action, showing a positive intent. Meanwhile, to shove someone, in a metaphorical sense, suggests forcing them into a situation or decision without regard for their readiness or willingness.
The reaction to a push versus a shove also differs significantly. A push, due to its generally milder nature, is more likely to be accepted or tolerated in various contexts. A shove, with its connotations of aggression, can provoke a strong negative response or retaliation, highlighting the social and emotional implications of using one action over the other.
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Comparison Chart
Forcefulness
Gentle to firm
Abrupt and forceful
Intention
Can be careful or supportive
Often aggressive or hurried
Social Implication
Can be positive (e.g., encouragement)
Generally negative (e.g., aggressive)
Reaction Provoked
More likely to be accepted or tolerated
Likely to provoke a negative response or retaliation
Figurative Meaning
Encourage or motivate towards a goal or action
Force into a situation without consideration
Compare with Definitions
Push
To exert force on someone or something to move it away.
He pushed the door open.
Shove
To force one’s way by pushing or elbowing.
He shoved through the crowd to get to the front.
Push
To encourage or urge forward.
The coach pushed the team to do their best.
Shove
To thrust at or push away with or as if with the body or an object.
She shoved the plate aside.
Push
To impose or insist upon something.
He pushed his views on the group.
Shove
To push roughly or abruptly.
The crowd shoved him forward.
Push
To extend or expand something.
The company is pushing its boundaries into new markets.
Shove
To compel or force someone into an action or decision.
They felt shoved into agreeing.
Push
To press upon or against a thing with force.
She pushed the button to start the machine.
Shove
To put or place in a hasty or careless manner.
She shoved her keys into her bag.
Push
To apply pressure against (something), especially for the purpose of moving it
Pushed the door but couldn't budge it.
Shove
Shove may refer to:
Push
To move (something) by exerting force against it; thrust or shove
Pushed the crate aside.
Shove
To push quickly, forcefully, or roughly
Shoved the chair against the wall.
Push
To exert downward pressure on (a button or keyboard, for example); press.
Shove
To put (something) roughly in a place
Shoved the keys into his pocket.
Push
To force (one's way)
We pushed our way through the crowd.
Shove
To push someone or something with force.
Push
To urge forward or urge insistently; pressure
Pushed him to study harder.
Shove
To move forward roughly, often by shoving someone
Shoved past the security guard into his seat.
Push
To extend or enlarge
Pushed sales into the millions.
Shove
The act of shoving; a push.
Push
(Informal) To approach in age
Is pushing 40 and still hasn't settled down.
Shove
(transitive) To push, especially roughly or with force.
Push
(Informal) To promote or sell (a product)
The author pushed her latest book by making appearances in bookstores.
Shove
(intransitive) To move off or along by an act of pushing, as with an oar or pole used in a boat; sometimes with off.
Push
(Slang) To sell (a narcotic) illegally
Push drugs.
Shove
To make an all-in bet.
Push
(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.
Shove
(slang) To pass (counterfeit money).
Push
To exert pressure or force against something
Winds pushing against the sail.
Shove
(obsolete) shave
Push
To advance despite difficulty or opposition; press forward
The regiment pushed toward the front line.
Shove
A rough push.
Push
To advocate or recommend something insistently
Pushed for a change in leadership.
Shove
(poker slang) An all-in bet.
Push
The act of pushing; a thrust
Gave the door a push.
Shove
A forward movement of packed river-ice.
Push
The act of pressing
With a push of the button.
Shove
To drive along by the direct and continuous application of strength; to push; especially, to push (a body) so as to make it move along the surface of another body; as, to shove a boat on the water; to shove a table across the floor.
Push
A vigorous or insistent effort toward an end; a drive
A push to reform health care.
Shove
To push along, aside, or away, in a careless or rude manner; to jostle.
And shove away the worthy bidden guest.
He used to shove and elbow his fellow servants.
Push
A provocation to action; a stimulus
Has artistic talent but needs a push to get started.
Shove
To push or drive forward; to move onward by pushing or jostling.
Push
(Informal) Persevering energy; enterprise
Doesn't have the push to get the job done.
Shove
To move off or along by an act pushing, as with an oar a pole used by one in a boat; sometimes with off.
He grasped the oar,eceived his guests on board, and shoved from shore.
Push
To apply a force to (an object) such that it moves away from the person or thing applying the force.
In his anger he pushed me against the wall and threatened me.
You need to push quite hard to get this door open.
Shove
The act of shoving; a forcible push.
I rested . . . and then gave the boat another shove.
Push
(transitive) To continually attempt to persuade (a person) into a particular course of action.
Shove
The act of shoving (giving a push to someone or something);
He gave the door a shove
Push
(transitive) To press or urge forward; to drive.
To push an objection too far; to push one's luck
Shove
Come into rough contact with while moving;
The passengers jostled each other in the overcrowded train
Push
(transitive) To continually promote (a point of view, a product for sale, etc.).
Stop pushing the issue — I'm not interested.
They're pushing that perfume again.
There were two men hanging around the school gates today, pushing drugs.
Shove
Push roughly;
The people pushed and shoved to get in line
Push
(intransitive) To continually exert oneself in order to achieve a goal.
Shove
Press or force;
Stuff money into an envelope
She thrust the letter into his hand
Push
To approach; to come close to.
My old car is pushing 250,000 miles.
Push
(intransitive) To tense the muscles in the abdomen in order to expel its contents.
During childbirth, there are times when the obstetrician advises the woman not to push.
Push
(intransitive) To continue to attempt to persuade a person into a particular course of action.
Push
To make a higher bid at an auction.
Push
(poker) To make an all-in bet.
Push
To move (a pawn) directly forward.
Push
(computing) To add (a data item) to the top of a stack.
Push
(computing) To publish (an update, etc.) by transmitting it to other computers.
Push
(obsolete) To thrust the points of the horns against; to gore.
Push
To burst out of its pot, as a bud or shoot.
Push
(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).
Push
A short, directed application of force; an act of pushing.
Give the door a hard push if it sticks.
Push
An act of tensing the muscles of the abdomen in order to expel its contents.
One more push and the baby will be out.
Push
A great effort (to do something).
Some details got lost in the push to get the project done.
Let's give one last push on our advertising campaign.
Push
An attempt to persuade someone into a particular course of action.
Push
(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.
Push
A wager that results in no loss or gain for the bettor as a result of a tie or even score
Push
(computing) The addition of a data item to the top of a stack.
Push
The situation where a server sends data to a client without waiting for a request.
Server push; a push technology
Push
A particular crowd or throng or people.
Push
(snooker) A foul shot in which the cue ball is in contact with the cue and the object ball at the same time
Push
A pustule; a pimple.
Push
A pustule; a pimple.
Push
A thrust with a pointed instrument, or with the end of a thing.
Push
Any thrust. pressure, impulse, or force, or force applied; a shove; as, to give the ball the first push.
Push
An assault or attack; an effort; an attempt; hence, the time or occasion for action.
Exact reformation is not perfected at the first push.
When it comes to the push, 'tis no more than talk.
Push
The faculty of overcoming obstacles; aggressive energy; as, he has push, or he has no push.
Push
A crowd; a company or clique of associates; a gang.
Push
To press against with force; to drive or impel by pressure; to endeavor to drive by steady pressure, without striking; - opposed to draw.
Sidelong had pushed a mountain from his seat.
Push
To thrust the points of the horns against; to gore.
If the ox shall push a manservant or maidservant, . . . the ox shall be stoned.
Push
To press or urge forward; to drive; to push an objection too far.
Ambition pushes the soul to such actions as are apt to procure honor to the actor.
We are pushed for an answer.
Push
To bear hard upon; to perplex; to embarrass.
Push
To importune; to press with solicitation; to tease.
Push
To make a thrust; to shove; as, to push with the horns or with a sword.
Push
To make an advance, attack, or effort; to be energetic; as, a man must push in order to succeed.
At the time of the end shall the kind of the south push at him and the king of the north shall come against him.
War seemed asleep for nine long years; at lengthBoth sides resolved to push, we tried our strength.
Push
To burst pot, as a bud or shoot.
The rider pushed on at a rapid pace.
Push
The act of applying force in order to move something away;
He gave the door a hard push
The pushing is good exercise
Push
The force used in pushing;
The push of the water on the walls of the tank
The thrust of the jet engines
Push
Enterprising or ambitious drive;
Europeans often laugh at American energy
Push
An electrical switch operated by pressing a button;
The elevator was operated by push buttons
The push beside the bed operated a buzzer at the desk
Push
An effort to advance;
The army made a push toward the sea
Push
Move with force,
He pushed the table into a corner
Push
Press, drive, or impel (someone) to action or completion of an action;
He pushed her to finish her doctorate
Push
Make publicity for; try to sell (a product);
The salesman is aggressively pushing the new computer model
The company is heavily advertizing their new laptops
Push
Press against forcefully without being able to move;
She pushed against the wall with all her strength
Push
Approach a certain age or speed;
She is pushing fifty
Push
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;
The liberal party pushed for reforms
She is crusading for women's rights
The Dean is pushing for his favorite candidate
Push
Sell or promote the sale of (illegal goods such as drugs);
The guy hanging around the school is pushing drugs
Push
Move strenuously and with effort;
The crowd pushed forward
Push
Make strenuous pushing movements during birth to expel the baby;
`Now push hard,' said the doctor to the woman
Common Curiosities
Is pushing always physical?
No, push can also have a figurative meaning, such as encouraging or motivating someone.
Why is shoving considered aggressive?
Due to its sudden and forceful nature, shoving is often seen as an aggressive or impatient action.
What is the main difference between push and shove?
Push implies a gentle or firm force applied to move something, while shove indicates a rough or abrupt action.
Can a shove be gentle?
Typically, a shove is not considered gentle; it's characterized by abruptness and force.
Is it socially acceptable to push someone?
In certain contexts, such as guiding someone gently, it can be, but context and intent are key.
Can pushing be a form of motivation?
Yes, pushing someone can figuratively mean motivating or encouraging them towards a goal.
Is shoving always intentional?
Shoving is generally intentional, but it can also result from a lack of space or urgency.
How do push and shove differ in sports?
In sports, pushing can be a regulated move, whereas shoving is often penalized due to its aggressive nature.
Can both push and shove have negative implications?
Yes, but shove more frequently carries negative connotations due to its forceful and abrupt nature.
Can pushing or shoving be justified in emergency situations?
In emergencies, actions that would normally be considered aggressive, like shoving, can be justified to prevent harm.
Can the intent behind a push change its perception?
Absolutely, a push with a positive intent, like encouragement, is perceived differently from one meant to harm.
What reactions can shoving provoke?
Shoving can provoke strong negative responses or even retaliation due to its aggressive nature.
Do push and shove have the same impact in all situations?
No, the impact varies with the context, the force applied, and the individuals involved.
How do cultural perceptions of pushing and shoving differ?
Cultural norms influence the acceptability of pushing and shoving, with some cultures being more tolerant than others of physical contact.
How do you distinguish between a push and a shove in a crowded place?
A push may be gentler and more common in crowds, whereas a shove is abrupt and can cause more disruption.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
