verb

jostle

JOS-uhl

verb

To bump or push against someone while moving, often in a crowd.

"Commuters jostled each other to get onto the packed train."

"He was jostled by the crowd surging toward the stage."

To compete or struggle with others to get or achieve something.

"The candidates jostled for position in the polls."

"Reporters jostled for the best spot to snap a photo."

noun

A rough push or shove, or the general shoving of a crowd.

"There was a bit of jostle getting off the bus."

How to Use Jostle

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo push and shove, literally in a crowd or figuratively when competing for something.

Common pairings

jostle for position jostle through the crowd elbow and jostle

jostled past tense, jostles plural, jostles singular

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Commuters _____ each other to get onto the packed train.

From an older word "justle", related to "joust" — originally meaning to clash or come into contact.

apostle