Thrust — A Vocabulary Story
The Knight and the Stubborn Door
Sir Benedict had faced dragons, outwitted trolls, and once convinced a grumpy giant to share his bridge. He'd thrust his sword into the heart of danger more times than he could count.
Thrust means to push something or someone suddenly or violently in a particular direction.
But nothing in his years of questing had prepared Sir Benedict for the Great Oak Door of Thornwood Castle.
"It's quite simple," said Princess Rosalind from her tower window above. "The door opens inward. You just need to push."
Sir Benedict adjusted his helmet with dignity. "I am aware of how doors function, Your Highness."
He placed both gauntleted hands against the ancient wood and pushed. Nothing. He leaned his whole body against it. Still nothing. The door remained as unmoveable as a mountain.
"Perhaps it's locked?" called the princess helpfully.
"It is not locked," Sir Benedict replied through gritted teeth. "It's merely... reluctant."
He took three steps backward, lowered his shoulder, and charged. At the last moment, he thrust his entire weight against the door with all the force he could muster.
The door exploded inward with a tremendous crash. Sir Benedict tumbled through in a clanking heap, his armour scraping across the stone floor. He slid past the entrance hall, through the dining room, and came to rest in the kitchen, where he knocked over a pyramid of copper pots that cascaded down upon him with musical enthusiasm.
Princess Rosalind descended the spiral stairs and peered at the knight, who lay beneath the cookware like a very unfortunate turtle.
"You know," she said thoughtfully, "there was a much smaller door just around the side. That's how everyone usually enters."
Sir Benedict thrust aside the saucepan covering his face and sat up with as much dignity as possible. "I am beginning to think rescuing is not my strongest skill."
But the princess smiled and thrust out her hand to help him up, for she rather liked knights who were determined, even if not particularly observant.
Word Definition
thrust
meaning
to push something or someone suddenly or violently in a particular direction
synonyms
propel · lunge · shove · nudge · plunge
antonyms
pull · decline · retreat
example sentence
He thrust the door open and stormed into the room.