pushing

The word “pushing” means aggressively assertive or forceful; pushy. In plain terms, describes someone who forces their way forward or presses their views too aggressively.

“Pushing” is pronounced PUU-shihng (/ˈpʊʃɪŋ/ in IPA).

Here is “pushing” used in a sentence: “He has a pushing manner that some colleagues find off-putting.”

“Pushing” is an adjective.

“Pushing” is a fairly common word in modern English.

In this sense there is barely any — pushing is simply a more old-fashioned way of saying pushy. Both describe someone who is aggressively assertive and won't take no for an answer. Today pushy is far more common in everyday speech, while pushing in this meaning sounds dated and is rarely heard.

Used to describe a person, it is negative. Calling someone pushing, like pushy, suggests they are forceful, over-insistent, and inconsiderate of others' wishes. It differs from admirable qualities like ambitious or determined, which praise drive without the sense of pressuring people. The word implies assertiveness that has tipped into being off-putting.

You might read of 'a pushing young salesman' who badgers customers into buying, or 'a pushing manner' that makes people uncomfortable. In each case the person is being forceful and self-promoting to a fault. In modern writing you would more likely see pushy used in exactly the same way.