Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
pen-pusher
noun
ˈpenˌpʊʃər
Definition
A person who engages in clerical or bureaucratic work, often viewed as uncreative or lacking in ambition.
Examples
- The office had its share of pen-pushers, but there were also a few creative thinkers.
- He felt like just another pen-pusher stuck in a cubicle all day.
- While some loved the excitement of journalism, she preferred being a pen-pusher in the publishing industry.
Meaning
The term is often used in a derogatory sense to describe someone who spends their time writing reports or completing paperwork rather than being involved in more exciting or productive activities.
Synonyms
- Clerical worker
- Paper pusher
- Office worker
- Bureaucrat
