Thrust (noun) refers to a sudden, strong forward push or drive, or the main forward movement of a weapon or object. It can also describe an aggressive attempt to achieve a goal. The term emphasizes force and momentum, often implying a directed, penetrating action. In physics or mechanics, it denotes the component that pushes along a line of action.
"He delivered a sharp thrust with the spear."
"The rocket’s thrust powered the launch into orbit."
"Her protest took a new thrust with a bold, pointed argument."
"The submarine’s propulsion system produced a heavy thrust through the water."
Thrust comes from the Old English word thrustan, which meant to push or shove. Its roots lie in Germanic languages, with cognates across Old Norse and Gothic that imply a piercing or pushing action. The form thrust as a noun emerged later, likely in the 13th century, to denote the act of pushing forward or a forward motion, especially in combat or mechanical contexts. The verb form is earlier, with related forms in Middle English and Old English, reflecting a long-standing semantic core of forceful forward movement. Over time, thrust broadened to describe not just physical pushing but also abstract forward momentum in arguments, plans, or investigations. In nautical and aerospace domains, thrust remains a technical term for forward propulsion. First known uses appear in medieval combat descriptions and early mechanical treatises, where thrusts were contrasted with pulls and other lines of force. The evolution mirrors the shift from simple physical action to more specialized technical jargon in engineering and science.
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Words that rhyme with "Thrust"
-ust sounds
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Pronounce it as /θrʌst/. Start with the voiceless dental fricative /θ/ like in 'think,' then immediately form /r/ with a tight tongue near the alveolar ridge while the lips are relaxed. The vowel is a short /ʌ/ as in 'strut.' End with the /st/ cluster, ensuring the /s/ is clear and the /t/ is released crisply. The stress is on the single syllable. Audio reference: you can compare with /θrʌst/ in many pronunciation databases.
Two common errors: (1) Diluting the /θ/ with a /t/ or /f/ sound, producing a 'trust' or 'frust' instead of /θrʌst/. (2) Overemphasizing /r/ or making it a full vowel; keep /r/ as a consonantal rhotic element immediately before /ʌ/. To correct, practice the sequence /θ/ + /r/ without an extra vowel, then insert /ʌ/ in a tight group: /θrʌst/. Use minimal pairs like 'thrust' vs 'thrusted' to train the flow.
In US English, /θ/ is unvoiced, followed by /r/ with a strong rhotic /ɹ/. UK English can show a slightly lighter /ɹ/ and sometimes a reduced vowel quality in rapid speech, but /θ/ remains. Australian accents maintain the /θ/ and /ɹ/ but may have a slightly softer /ʌ/; some speakers merge /ʌ/ with a more centralized vowel in fast speech. All share the /st/ ending; the main variation is the strength of the /r/ and the vowel color.
The difficulty lies in starting with the unvoiced dental /θ/ immediately followed by /r/ without an intervening vowel, which is a rare consonant cluster for many non-native speakers. The /θ/ is also a subtle, non-voiced sound that requires air without vocal fold vibration. Coordinating the tongue tip with the blade for /θ/ while sculpting a tight /r/ can be challenging, and finishing with the crisp /st/ cluster requires clear release.
A unique feature is the near-immediate transition from /θ/ to /r/ without a vowel, creating a rapid, compact onset cluster /θr/. This timing is crucial; if you voice the /θ/ with a small vowel or delay the /r/, you’ll produce 'thirst' or a vowel-influenced variant. Practice the sequence in isolation, then in a short phrase to lock the timing.
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