elbowing

Pushing with arms

Elbowing is using the elbow to push, nudge, or strike.

In crowds, people elbow their way through: She was elbowing past the other shoppers.

In sports, elbowing is a foul—using the elbow against an opponent.

Figuratively, elbowing suggests aggressive competition for position or attention: Startups elbowing for market share.

jostling

shoving

Pushing with force

crowdLarge public gathering
throngDense pressing crowd
bustleEnergetic noisy activity

crush · squeeze · bumping · jockeying · maneuvering · scuffle · tussle · commotion · hustle · packed

striking

jabbing

Thrusting sharply and quickly

pokingLight repeated jabbing
proddingPersistent urging forward
nudgingLight push to prompt

ribs · sharp · forceful · deliberate · aggressive · painful · bruising · blow · thrust · dig

fouls

penalty

Punishment for wrongdoing

violationBreaking of rules
infractionMinor rule breach
misconductImproper professional behavior

flagrant · unsportsmanlike · roughing · charging · pushing · shoving · contact · referee · whistle · call

Categories

aggressionhostility, violence, attack, fight, combativeness
shovingpushing, shoving, jostling, shouldering, nudging
dirty playcheap shot, cheap shots, dirty play, foul play, late hit
game callsfoul, offsides, offside, traveling, travel
hockey penaltiescharging, holding, hooking, high-sticking, slashing
mosh pitsmoshing, mosh pit, mosher, circle pit, slam dancing

Opposites

physical contact/aggression

elbowingcaressing

Touching with affection

embracing · stroking · hugging · cradling · giving space

spatial movement/competition

elbowingyielding

Bending under pressure

stepping aside · making way · giving way · deferring · standing back

Family

elbow, elbows, elbowed

Familiarity: Top 50,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G