shove
8 synonyms and 1 antonym for shove, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To push something or someone roughly.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use shove
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
shove off
give it a shove
push and shove
Etymology
From Old English sċūfan, from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to push".
Full origin of shove →Frequently asked questions
What does “shove” mean?
The word “shove” means to push something or someone roughly. In plain terms, to push roughly, or a rough push.
How do you pronounce “shove”?
“Shove” is pronounced shuhv (/ʃʌv/ in IPA).
How do you use “shove” in a sentence?
Here is “shove” used in a sentence: “He shoved past the crowd to reach the exit.”
What part of speech is “shove”?
Depending on how it is used, “shove” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “shove” come from?
The word “shove” comes from Old English. From Old English sċūfan, from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to push".
Is “shove” a common word?
“Shove” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “shove” have?
“Shove” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to push something or someone roughly.
What is the difference between "shove" and "push"?
"Shove" implies pushing something or someone roughly or forcefully, while "push" is a more neutral term that can describe any degree of force, gentle or firm. "Shove" often carries a slightly aggressive or careless connotation that plain "push" lacks.
Is "shove" a formal or informal word?
"Shove" is an informal, everyday word common in casual speech and writing about a rough push. In more formal contexts it would generally be replaced with "push" or "propel."
Can "shove" be used as both a verb and a noun?
Yes, "shove" works as a verb meaning to push something or someone roughly, and as a noun meaning a rough push. For example, someone can "shove" a door open, or give the door "a shove."
