To push against gently.

synonyms: nudge, prod.

Roget 276: give an impetus etc. n.; impel, push; start, give a start to, set going; drive, urge, boom; thrust, prod, foin [Fr.]; cant; elbow, shoulder, jostle, justle^†, hustle, hurtle, shove, jog, jolt, encounter; run against, bump against, butt against; knock one's head against, run one's head against; impinge; boost [U.S.]; bunt, carom, clip y; fan, fan out; jab, plug [Slang].    strike, knock, hit, tap, rap, slap, flap, dab, pat, thump, beat, blow, bang, slam, dash; punch, thwack, whack; hit hard, strike hard; swap, batter, dowse^†, baste; pelt, patter, buffet, belabor; fetch one a blow; poke at, pink, lunge, yerk^†; kick, calcitrate^†; butt, strike at etc. (attack) 716; whip etc. (punish) 972.    come into a collision, enter into collision; collide; sideswipe; foul; fall foul of, run foul of; telescope.    throw etc. (propel) 284.    ... show more

Roget 716: attack, assault, assail; invade; set upon, fall upon; charge, impugn, break a lance with, enter the lists.    assume the offensive, take the offensive; be the aggressor, become the aggressor; strike the first blow, draw first blood, throw the first stone at; lift a hand against, draw the sword against; take up the cudgels; advance against, march against; march upon, harry; come on, show fight.    strike at, poke at, thrust at; aim a blow at, deal a blow at; give one a blow, fetch one a blow, fetch one a kick, give one a kick; have a cut at, have a shot at, take a cut at, take a shot at, have a fling at, have a shy at; be down upon, pounce upon; fall foul of, pitch into, launch out against; bait, slap on the face; make a thrust at, make a pass at, make a set at, make a dead set at; bear down upon.    close with, come to close quarters; bring to bay.    ride full tilt against; attack tooth and nail, go at hammer and tongs.    let fly at, dash at, run a tilt at, rush at, tilt at, run at, fly at, hawk at, have at, let out at; make a dash, make a rush at; strike home; drive one hard; press one hard; be hard upon, run down, strike at the root of.    lay about one, run amuck.    aim at, draw a bead on [U.S.].    fire upon, fire at, fire a shot at; shoot at, pop at, level at, let off a gun at; open fire, pepper, bombard, shell, pour a broadside into; fire a volley, fire red-hot shot; spring a mine.    throw a stone, throw stones at; stone, lapidate^†, pelt; hurl at, hurl against, hurl at the head of; rock beset [U.S.], besiege, beleaguer; lay siege to, invest, open the trenches, plant a battery, sap, mine; storm, board, scale the walls.    cut and thrust, bayonet, butt; kick, strike etc. (impulse) 276; whip etc. (punish) 972.    [attack verbally] assail, impugn; malign (detract) 934.    bomb, rocket, blast.    ... show more