Push vs. Pull — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on November 2, 2023
Push means to exert force on something away from oneself; pull is to exert force toward oneself.
Difference Between Push and Pull
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Push applies force outward or forward; pull brings objects closer or towards oneself.
Push and pull are opposites; push moves away, while pull draws in.
In marketing, a push strategy sells directly, while pull aims to build demand.
To push is to promote actively; to pull is to attract or encourage arrival.
Doors often use both terms: push to open, pull to close.
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Comparison Chart
Direction
Away from the force applied
Towards the force applied
Motion Type
Exerting force outward
Exerting force inward
Marketing Strategy
Direct promotion to create demand
Creating demand to attract customers
Physical Activity
Pressing movement
Drawing or dragging movement
User Interface
Sending data (push notifications)
Requesting data (pull refresh)
Compare with Definitions
Push
To apply force.
He had to push the heavy door to open it.
Pull
Attract someone.
The festival's lineup will pull a large crowd.
Push
Exert pressure.
You need to push the pedal down to start the machine.
Pull
Demand creation.
The ad campaign aimed to pull more interest in the product.
Push
Increase intensity.
She will push herself to finish the project on time.
Pull
Influence.
The senator has enough pull to influence the legislation.
Push
To apply pressure against (something), especially for the purpose of moving it
Pushed the door but couldn't budge it.
Pull
To apply force to (something) so as to cause or tend to cause motion toward the source of the force
Pulled her chair up to the table.
Pulled the wagon down the street.
Push
To move (something) by exerting force against it; thrust or shove
Pushed the crate aside.
Pull
To remove from a fixed position; extract
The dentist pulled the tooth.
Push
To exert downward pressure on (a button or keyboard, for example); press.
Pull
To tug at; jerk or tweak
I pulled the lever until it broke.
Push
To force (one's way)
We pushed our way through the crowd.
Pull
To rip or tear; rend
The dog pulled the toy to pieces.
Push
To urge forward or urge insistently; pressure
Pushed him to study harder.
Pull
To stretch (taffy, for example) repeatedly.
Push
To extend or enlarge
Pushed sales into the millions.
Pull
To strain (a muscle, for example) injuriously.
Push
(Informal) To approach in age
Is pushing 40 and still hasn't settled down.
Pull
(Informal) To attract; draw
A performer who pulls large crowds.
Push
(Informal) To promote or sell (a product)
The author pushed her latest book by making appearances in bookstores.
Pull
(Slang) To draw out (a weapon) in readiness for use
Pull a gun.
Pulled a knife on me.
Push
(Slang) To sell (a narcotic) illegally
Push drugs.
Pull
(Informal) To remove
Pulled the car's engine.
Pulled the tainted meat product from the stores.
Push
(Sports) To hit (a ball) in the direction toward the dominant hand of the player propelling it, as to the right of a right-handed player.
Pull
(Sports) To hit (a ball) so that it moves in the direction away from the dominant hand of the player propelling it, as to the left of a right-handed player.
Push
To exert pressure or force against something
Winds pushing against the sail.
Pull
To operate (an oar) in rowing.
Push
To advance despite difficulty or opposition; press forward
The regiment pushed toward the front line.
Pull
To transport or propel by rowing.
Push
To advocate or recommend something insistently
Pushed for a change in leadership.
Pull
To be rowed by
That boat pulls six oars.
Push
To expend great or vigorous effort
Pushed to finish his paper by the deadline.
Pull
To rein in (a horse) to keep it from winning a race.
Push
The act of pushing; a thrust
Gave the door a push.
Pull
(Printing) To produce (a print or an impression) from type.
Push
The act of pressing
With a push of the button.
Pull
To exert force in moving something toward the source of the force
Pull harder and the window will open.
Push
A vigorous or insistent effort toward an end; a drive
A push to reform health care.
Pull
To move in a certain direction or toward a certain goal
Pulled into the driveway.
Pulled even with the race leader.
Push
A provocation to action; a stimulus
Has artistic talent but needs a push to get started.
Pull
To gain a position closer to an objective
Our team has pulled within three points of the league leader.
Push
(Informal) Persevering energy; enterprise
Doesn't have the push to get the job done.
Pull
To drink or inhale deeply
Pulled on the cold beer with gusto.
Pull on a cigarette.
Push
To apply a force to (an object) such that it moves away from the person or thing applying the force.
In his anger he pushed me against the wall and threatened me.
You need to push quite hard to get this door open.
Pull
(Nautical) To row a boat.
Push
(transitive) To continually attempt to persuade (a person) into a particular course of action.
Pull
(Informal) To express or feel great sympathy or empathy
We're pulling for our new president.
Push
(transitive) To press or urge forward; to drive.
To push an objection too far; to push one's luck
Pull
The act or process of pulling
Gave the drawer a pull.
Push
(transitive) To continually promote (a point of view, a product for sale, etc.).
Stop pushing the issue — I'm not interested.
They're pushing that perfume again.
There were two men hanging around the school gates today, pushing drugs.
Pull
Force exerted in pulling or required to overcome resistance in pulling
How much pull does this tugboat have?.
Push
(intransitive) To continually exert oneself in order to achieve a goal.
Pull
A sustained effort
A long pull across the mountains.
Push
To approach; to come close to.
My old car is pushing 250,000 miles.
Pull
Something, such as a knob on a drawer, that is used for pulling.
Push
(intransitive) To tense the muscles in the abdomen in order to expel its contents.
During childbirth, there are times when the obstetrician advises the woman not to push.
Pull
A deep inhalation or draft, as on a cigarette or of a beverage.
Push
(intransitive) To continue to attempt to persuade a person into a particular course of action.
Pull
(Slang) A means of gaining special advantage; influence
The lobbyist has pull with the senator.
Push
To make a higher bid at an auction.
Pull
(Informal) The ability to draw or attract; appeal
A star with pull at the box office.
Push
(poker) To make an all-in bet.
Pull
To apply a force to (an object) so that it comes toward the person or thing applying the force.
When I give the signal, pull the rope.
You're going to have to pull harder to get that cork out of the bottle.
Push
To move (a pawn) directly forward.
Pull
To gather with the hand, or by drawing toward oneself; to pluck.
To pull fruit from a tree
Pull flax
Pull a finch
Push
(computing) To add (a data item) to the top of a stack.
Pull
(transitive) To attract or net; to pull in.
Push
(computing) To publish (an update, etc.) by transmitting it to other computers.
Pull
To persuade (someone) to have sex with one.
I pulled at the club last night.
He's pulled that bird over there.
Push
(obsolete) To thrust the points of the horns against; to gore.
Pull
(transitive) To remove (something), especially from public circulation or availability.
Each day, they pulled the old bread and set out fresh loaves.
The book was due to be released today, but it was pulled at the last minute over legal concerns.
Push
To burst out of its pot, as a bud or shoot.
Pull
(transitive) To retrieve or generate for use.
I'll have to pull a part number for that.
This computer file is incorrect. Can we pull the old version from your backups?
Push
(snooker) To strike the cue ball in such a way that it stays in contact with the cue and object ball at the same time (a foul shot).
Pull
(construction) To obtain (a permit) from a regulatory authority.
It's the contractor's responsibility to pull the necessary permits before starting work.
Push
A short, directed application of force; an act of pushing.
Give the door a hard push if it sticks.
Pull
To do or perform.
He regularly pulls 12-hour days, sometimes 14.
You'll be sent home if you pull another stunt like that.
Push
An act of tensing the muscles of the abdomen in order to expel its contents.
One more push and the baby will be out.
Pull
(with 'a' and the name of a person, place, event, etc.) To copy or emulate the actions or behaviour that is associated with the person or thing mentioned.
He pulled an Elvis and got really fat.
Push
A great effort (to do something).
Some details got lost in the push to get the project done.
Let's give one last push on our advertising campaign.
Pull
To toss a frisbee with the intention of launching the disc across the length of a field.
Push
An attempt to persuade someone into a particular course of action.
Pull
(intransitive) To row.
Push
(military) A marching or drill maneuver/manoeuvre performed by moving a formation (especially a company front) forward or toward the audience, usually to accompany a dramatic climax or crescendo in the music.
Pull
To achieve by rowing on a rowing machine.
I pulled a personal best on the erg yesterday.
It had been a sort of race hitherto, and the rowers, with set teeth and compressed lips, had pulled stroke for stroke.
Push
A wager that results in no loss or gain for the bettor as a result of a tie or even score
Pull
To draw apart; to tear; to rend.
Push
(computing) The addition of a data item to the top of a stack.
Pull
(transitive) To strain (a muscle, tendon, ligament, etc.).
Push
The situation where a server sends data to a client without waiting for a request.
Server push; a push technology
Pull
To draw (a hostile non-player character) into combat, or toward or away from some location or target.
Push
A particular crowd or throng or people.
Pull
(UK) To score a certain number of points in a sport.
How many points did you pull today, Albert?
Push
(snooker) A foul shot in which the cue ball is in contact with the cue and the object ball at the same time
Pull
(horse-racing) To hold back, and so prevent from winning.
The favourite was pulled.
Push
A pustule; a pimple.
Pull
To take or make (a proof or impression); so called because hand presses were worked by pulling a lever.
Push
A pustule; a pimple.
Pull
To strike the ball in a particular manner. (See noun sense.)
Push
A thrust with a pointed instrument, or with the end of a thing.
Pull
(UK) To draw beer from a pump, keg, or other source.
Let's stop at Finnigan's. The barman pulls a good pint.
Push
Any thrust. pressure, impulse, or force, or force applied; a shove; as, to give the ball the first push.
Pull
(intransitive) To take a swig or mouthful of drink.
Push
An assault or attack; an effort; an attempt; hence, the time or occasion for action.
Exact reformation is not perfected at the first push.
When it comes to the push, 'tis no more than talk.
Pull
To pull out from a yard or station; to leave.
Push
The faculty of overcoming obstacles; aggressive energy; as, he has push, or he has no push.
Pull
To pluck or pick (flowers, fruit etc.).
Push
A crowd; a company or clique of associates; a gang.
Pull
(sports) Command used by a target shooter to request that the target be released/launched.
Push
To press against with force; to drive or impel by pressure; to endeavor to drive by steady pressure, without striking; - opposed to draw.
Sidelong had pushed a mountain from his seat.
Pull
An act of pulling applying force toward oneself.
He gave the hair a sharp pull and it came out.
Push
To thrust the points of the horns against; to gore.
If the ox shall push a manservant or maidservant, . . . the ox shall be stoned.
Pull
An attractive force which causes motion towards the source.
The spaceship came under the pull of the gas giant.
Iron fillings drawn by the pull of a magnet
She took a pull on her cigarette.
Push
To press or urge forward; to drive; to push an objection too far.
Ambition pushes the soul to such actions as are apt to procure honor to the actor.
We are pushed for an answer.
Pull
An advantage over somebody; a means of influencing.
The hypnotist exerted a pull over his patients.
Push
To bear hard upon; to perplex; to embarrass.
Pull
Any device meant to be pulled, as a lever, knob, handle, or rope.
A zipper pull
Push
To importune; to press with solicitation; to tease.
Pull
Something in one's favour in a comparison or a contest.
In weights the favourite had the pull.
Push
To make a thrust; to shove; as, to push with the horns or with a sword.
Pull
Or attraction (e.g. of a movie star).
Push
To make an advance, attack, or effort; to be energetic; as, a man must push in order to succeed.
At the time of the end shall the kind of the south push at him and the king of the north shall come against him.
War seemed asleep for nine long years; at lengthBoth sides resolved to push, we tried our strength.
Pull
The situation where a client sends out a request for data from a server, as in server pull, pull technology
Push
To burst pot, as a bud or shoot.
The rider pushed on at a rapid pace.
Pull
A journey made by rowing.
Push
The act of applying force in order to move something away;
He gave the door a hard push
The pushing is good exercise
Pull
(dated) A contest; a struggle.
A wrestling pull
Push
The force used in pushing;
The push of the water on the walls of the tank
The thrust of the jet engines
Pull
Loss or violence suffered.
Push
Enterprising or ambitious drive;
Europeans often laugh at American energy
Pull
(colloquial) The act of drinking; a mouthful or swig of a drink.
Push
An electrical switch operated by pressing a button;
The elevator was operated by push buttons
The push beside the bed operated a buzzer at the desk
Pull
(cricket) A type of stroke by which a leg ball is sent to the off side, or an off ball to the on side; a pull shot.
Push
An effort to advance;
The army made a push toward the sea
Pull
(golf) A mishit shot which travels in a straight line and (for a right-handed player) left of the intended path.
Push
Move with force,
He pushed the table into a corner
Pull
A single impression from a handpress.
Push
Press, drive, or impel (someone) to action or completion of an action;
He pushed her to finish her doctorate
Pull
(printing) A proof sheet.
Push
Make publicity for; try to sell (a product);
The salesman is aggressively pushing the new computer model
The company is heavily advertizing their new laptops
Pull
To draw, or attempt to draw, toward one; to draw forcibly.
Ne'er pull your hat upon your brows.
He put forth his hand . . . and pulled her in.
Push
Strive and make an effort to reach a goal;
She tugged for years to make a decent living
We have to push a little to make the deadline!
She is driving away at her doctoral thesis
Pull
To draw apart; to tear; to rend.
He hath turned aside my ways, and pulled me in pieces; he hath made me desolate.
Push
Press against forcefully without being able to move;
She pushed against the wall with all her strength
Pull
To gather with the hand, or by drawing toward one; to pluck; as, to pull fruit; to pull flax; to pull a finch.
Push
Approach a certain age or speed;
She is pushing fifty
Pull
To move or operate by the motion of drawing towards one; as, to pull a bell; to pull an oar.
Push
Exert oneself continuously, vigorously, or obtrusively to gain an end or engage in a crusade for a certain cause or person; be an advocate for;
The liberal party pushed for reforms
She is crusading for women's rights
The Dean is pushing for his favorite candidate
Pull
To hold back, and so prevent from winning; as, the favorite was pulled.
Push
Sell or promote the sale of (illegal goods such as drugs);
The guy hanging around the school is pushing drugs
Pull
To take or make, as a proof or impression; - hand presses being worked by pulling a lever.
Push
Move strenuously and with effort;
The crowd pushed forward
Pull
To exert one's self in an act or motion of drawing or hauling; to tug; as, to pull at a rope.
Push
Make strenuous pushing movements during birth to expel the baby;
`Now push hard,' said the doctor to the woman
Pull
The act of pulling or drawing with force; an effort to move something by drawing toward one.
I awakened with a violent pull upon the ring which was fastened at the top of my box.
Push
Promote actively.
The company will push its new product line this quarter.
Pull
A contest; a struggle; as, a wrestling pull.
Push
Encourage effort.
The coach will push the athletes to their limits.
Pull
A pluck; loss or violence suffered.
Two pulls at once;His lady banished, and a limb lopped off.
Pull
A knob, handle, or lever, etc., by which anything is pulled; as, a drawer pull; a bell pull.
Pull
The act of rowing; as, a pull on the river.
Pull
The act of drinking; as, to take a pull at the beer, or the mug.
Pull
Something in one's favor in a comparison or a contest; an advantage; means of influencing; as, in weights the favorite had the pull.
Pull
A kind of stroke by which a leg ball is sent to the off side, or an off ball to the side.
The pull is not a legitimate stroke, but bad cricket.
Pull
The act of pulling; applying force to move something toward or with you;
The pull up the hill had him breathing harder
His strenuous pulling strained his back
Pull
The force used in pulling;
The pull of the moon
The pull of the current
Pull
Special advantage or influence;
The chairman's nephew has a lot of pull
Pull
A device used for pulling something;
He grabbed the pull and opened the drawer
Pull
A sharp strain on muscles or ligaments;
The wrench to his knee occurred as he fell
He was sidelined with a hamstring pull
Pull
A slow inhalation (as of tobacco smoke);
He took a puff on his pipe
He took a drag on his cigarette and expelled the smoke slowly
Pull
A sustained effort;
It was a long pull but we made it
Pull
Cause to move along the ground by pulling;
Draw a wagon
Pull a sled
Pull
Direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes;
Her good looks attract the stares of many men
The ad pulled in many potential customers
This pianist pulls huge crowds
The store owner was happy that the ad drew in many new customers
Pull
Move into a certain direction;
The car pulls to the right
Pull
Apply force so as to cause motion towards the source of the motion;
Pull the rope
Pull the handle towards you
Pull the string gently
Pull the trigger of the gun
Pull your kneees towards your chin
Pull
Perform an act, usually with a negative connotation;
Perpetrate a crime
Pull a bank robbery
Pull
Bring, take, or pull out of a container or from under a cover;
Draw a weapon
Pull out a gun
The mugger pulled a knife on his victim
Pull
Steer into a certain direction;
Pull one's horse to a stand
Pull the car over
Pull
Strain abnormally;
I pulled a muscle in my leg when I jumped up
The athlete pulled a tendon in the competition
Pull
Cause to move in a certain direction by exerting a force upon, either physically or in an abstract sense;
A declining dollar pulled down the export figures for the last quarter
Pull
Operate when rowing a boat;
Pull the oars
Pull
Rein in to keep from winning a race;
Pull a horse
Pull
Tear or be torn violently;
The curtain ripped from top to bottom
Pull the cooked chicken into strips
Pull
Hit in the direction that the player is facing when carrying through the swing;
Pull the ball
Pull
Strip of feathers;
Pull a chicken
Pluck the capon
Pull
Draw or pull out, usually with some force or effort; also used in an abstract sense;
Pull weeds
Extract a bad tooth
Take out a splinter
Extract information from the telegram
Pull
Take sides with; align oneself with; show strong sympathy for;
We all rooted for the home team
I'm pulling for the underdog
Are you siding with the defender of the title?
Pull
Take away;
Pull the old soup cans from the supermarket shelf
Pull
To exert force.
Pull the rope towards you to lift the weight.
Pull
Draw inwards.
He had to pull the tray out of the oven.
Common Curiosities
Can push be used metaphorically?
Yes, such as pushing for a cause or initiative.
What does it mean to push something?
To exert force on it to move it away from oneself.
How do push and pull affect business strategies?
Push involves direct selling, while pull focuses on building demand.
What does pull mean in a physical sense?
To exert force on an object to move it towards oneself.
Is pull only a physical action?
No, it can also refer to an influence or attraction.
What is a pull factor?
A reason or force that attracts people to a new location or action.
What does push mean in weightlifting?
To exert force to move a weight away, as in a bench press.
What's a push notification?
A message sent from a server to a device without a specific request from the user.
Does pull relate to gravity?
Pull can describe the gravitational force exerted by the Earth.
What does it mean to push oneself?
To work against one's limits or extend one's efforts.
Are push and pull used in physics?
Yes, they refer to forces exerted on objects.
Can doors be both pushed and pulled?
Yes, depending on their design and the direction of opening.
What does "pull your weight" mean?
It means to do your fair share of work.
What does it mean to pull up a document?
To open or retrieve a document on a computer.
Can push be synonymous with persuade?
In some contexts, to push someone can mean to persuade them.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
