Pushed-in

The adjective 'pushed-in' describes something that has been forcibly moved inward from its original position, often resulting in a dent, concavity, or displacement. It implies an action where an external force causes a portion of an object, surface, or container to be pressed or compressed into a less-projecting state. The degree of the indentation varies depending on the force applied and the material's resilience. 'Pushed-in' can also metaphorically refer to a suppression or containment of something, such as feelings or thoughts, to avoid their expression. Furthermore, it can describe someone's behavior to mean that they are reserved and withdrawn, with a noticeable lack of assertiveness.

Pushed-in meaning with examples

• The car's door had a large, pushed-in dent after the collision, visibly altering its shape. The repair shop was going to replace the door with a brand-new one after the accident. We were so lucky the car wasn't in the car park when it happened. Thankfully no one was seriously hurt and the car itself wasn't severely damaged.
• The child's cheeks were noticeably pushed-in due to malnourishment. The boy was on a diet that was going to give him all the essential elements for good health. We hoped that the boy would gain weight once he got into a more routine meal structure. After a few days of the boy eating correctly, he gained about a pound and a half.
• She had a pushed-in smile, hiding her true emotions behind a veneer of polite indifference. She felt like a prisoner in her own world, and that was difficult for everyone around her. It was also difficult for her to smile, even if she wanted to. The girl wanted to be heard but felt as though she couldn't be.
• The plastic bottle's sides were pushed-in after being subjected to extreme heat. It was not a big deal, because it was empty but there was also a lot of heat and no wind that day. The bottle was still usable, so we were still able to recycle it like we should have done. This was despite its deformed state.
• His pushed-in chest suggested a history of physical trauma or an underlying medical condition that needed immediate attention. He wanted to improve, but was unsure how to go about it, even though he felt he had to act immediately. So we made a decision to consult a medical professional.