Pushy describes someone who tries too hard to get what they want, often ignoring hints that others aren't interested or don't want to be bothered. A pushy salesperson keeps talking even after you've said no three times. A pushy friend insists you play their game when you've already explained you'd rather do something else.

The word carries a negative feeling because pushy people don't respect boundaries. They press and press, like someone who keeps poking you even after you ask them to stop. There's a difference between being confident or persistent and being pushy: confidence means believing in yourself, persistence means not giving up on your goals, but pushiness means bulldozing over other people's wishes.

You might encounter pushy behavior when someone cuts in line and acts like they have every right to be there, or when a classmate won't take no for an answer about borrowing your favorite pencil. Being assertive (clearly stating what you want) is different from being pushy. Assertive people speak up for themselves while still respecting others. Pushy people focus only on what they want.