pushes away
Creates distance from
To push away is to move something or someone back with force, creating distance: She pushed away the plate, no longer hungry.
Figuratively, it means to reject emotionally or refuse closeness: He pushes away everyone who tries to help him.
The phrase often suggests self-protective behavior that isolates.
- shovesPushes someone abruptly
- alienatesCauses emotional withdrawal
- repelsDrives back, resists
- drives offForces to depart
- holds offDelays or repels
keeps at bay · isolates · shuts out · ejects · opposes · estranges · excludes · abandons · repudiates · rebuffs · brushes off · discourages · detaches · thrusts · fends off · displaces · resists · neglects
- repelsrepels, wards off, fends off, drives off, holds off
pushes awaypulls in
Arrives or attracts
draws near · reels in · attracts · pulls
pushes awayembraces
Holds lovingly, or adopts
welcomes · accepts · takes in · holds tight · lets in
pushes awayclings to
Holds on tightly
retains · grasps · clutches · hangs onto · holds tight
push, pushes, pushed, pushing, pusher, pushers, pushy, pushiness, away