push back

VERB

dismiss

Synonyms

STRONGEST

decline disband dissolve expel let go reject release

STRONG

abolish banish boot bundle chase chuck clear deport detach discard dispatch disperse divorce eject outlaw relegate relinquish repel repudiate rid shed supersede

WEAK

brush off cast off cast out dispense with dispose of do without drive out force out have done with kick out let out lock out push aside send off send packing show out slough off sweep away turn out

Antonyms

STRONGEST

accept allow

STRONG

hold keep legalize permit promote retain

WEAK

appoint employ engage hire maintain preserve secure welcome

VERB

rebuff

Synonyms

STRONGEST

chide deny dismiss disregard fend off ignore oppose rebuke refuse reject repudiate resist snub spurn turn down

STRONG

check cross cut decline disallow discourage neglect repel reprove repulse slight

WEAK

beat off brush off cold-shoulder hold off keep at a distance keep at arm's length keep at bay lash out at not hear of pass up put in one's place put off send away stave off tell off ward off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

OK accept acknowledge admit allow approve compliment go along grant note pay attention praise regard sanction welcome

STRONG

aid assist attract help permit

WEAK

hug include take in

VERB

repel

Synonyms

STRONGEST

chase away confront drive away drive off fend off hold off rebuff resist ward off withstand

STRONG

buck check cool cut decline dismiss disown dispute duel fight kick oppose parry rebut refuse reject traverse

WEAK

beat back beat off brush off cast aside drive back force back force off give cold shoulder to hold back keep at arm's length keep at bay keep off knock down put down put to flight stand up against stave off turn down

Antonyms

STRONG

accept agree aid allow approve assist help increase sanction support

WEAK

attract draw

VERB

repulse

Synonyms

STRONGEST

fend off overthrow put down rebuff repel resist ward off

STRONG

check defeat nix rebut reject

WEAK

beat off brush off drive back fight off heave-ho hold off keep off kick in the teeth set back stave off throw back

Antonyms

STRONG

aid allow approve help

WEAK

attract enchant please soothe

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

push back

Roberts said Ohtani experienced discomfort while playing catch, and that was enough for the Dodgers to push back his next start to...

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 19, 2026

ChatGPT developer OpenAI may push back its initial public offering to next year, according to a report.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 26, 2026

Bond investors, meanwhile, were starting to push back on the rate hike messaging the Warsh-led Fed introduced last week, trimming 1-year inflation swap rates to 2.16%, the lowest since October of 2024.

From Barron's ● Jun. 25, 2026

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi appeared to push back at the comments.

From BBC ● Jun. 24, 2026

“Remember how pissed he was when a bunch of kids tried to meet with him over the assembly thing? If we push him, won’t he just push back harder?”

From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro

push back

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Related Words