push back
Resist with force
Push back means to resist, object, or oppose something.
The physical sense—pushing something backward—extends naturally to figurative resistance: Employees pushed back against the new policy.
As a noun, pushback is the resistance itself: The proposal met significant pushback from shareholders.
In aviation, pushback is when a tug moves an aircraft away from the gate.
Delay to later time
- deferDelay or submit
- rescheduleAssign a different time
- adjournTemporarily halt proceedings
- suspendHalt or hang temporarily
shelve · table · hold off · stall · extend · protract · bump · delay
Act against something
- counterFlat service surface
- defyResist or challenge openly
- stand firmRefuse to retreat
- refuseReject or garbage
reject · rebuff · repel · withstand · challenge · confront · retaliate · thwart
postpone
Delay to later time
- deferDelay or submit
- rescheduleAssign a different time
- adjournTemporarily halt proceedings
suspend · shelve · table · hold off · stall · extend · protract · bump · delay · rain check
oppose
Act against something
- counterFlat service surface
- defyResist or challenge openly
- stand firmRefuse to retreat
refuse · reject · rebuff · repel · withstand · challenge · confront · retaliate · thwart · block
disagree
Hold a contrary opinion
- dissentDisagreement with authority
- protestPublic expression of disapproval
- disputeVerbal clash over differences
challenge · question · criticize · contest · debate · argue · contradict · refute · rebut · counter
shove
Push with force
- office jargonsynergy, touch base, deep dive, action item, deliverable
- opposeoppose, resist, defy, reject, refuse
- scheduling termsASAP, appointment, meeting, booking, reservation
- resistresist, oppose, defy, rebuff, refuse
- Stand Upstand firm, stand ground, make a stand, hold firm, face up to
- set piecesfree kick, corner kick, penalty kick, throw-in, kickoff
push backcomply
Follow rules or requests
accept · acquiesce · yield · submit · go along with
push backpush forward
Proceed with determination
move up · advance · bring forward · move forward · pull in