The major 'thrust' of their research [=the main reason they are doing their research] will be to find practical applications.
Fame was 'thrust upon' her. [=she became famous even though she did not try or want to be famous]
He 'thrust' his way through the crowd. [=he went through the crowd by pushing people aside]
(..) For if you do, all the armies of my boot will kick you in the teeth and you will be cast up and thrown in the dirt and thrust back to perdition! And as long as I have teeth, I will bite you, and if I have no teeth, I will gum you! And as long as I have fists, I will bash you! (..)2007 There Will Be Blood