tugged; tugging
1
: to pull or strain hard at
3
: to tow with a tugboat
tugger
noun
tugrik, tugriks
Synonyms
Examples of tug in a Sentence
Verb
I felt someone tugging on my sleeve.
She tugged the cord until the plug came out of the wall socket.
Noun
He felt a gentle tug on his sleeve.
gave the man in front a tug on his shirtsleeve as a sign that he was supposed to step aside
Recent Examples on the Web
Lindsay Modglin, Verywell Health, 8 Apr. 2024
From there, the policemen pulled and tugged Pierson halfway across the Gateway to the Americas International Bridge that stretches across the Rio Grande, their toes nearing a yellow line on the pavement that marks the actual divide of nations.
—Beth Warren, USA TODAY, 6 Apr. 2024
For example, when speaking to the German Bundestag, Zelensky referenced the Berlin Wall as well as the Holocaust, a deliberate attempt to tug at the heartstrings and win over the German public.
—Carmine Gallo, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024
The first debris lift – which involves using a using a 160-ton crane – marks the beginning of a long process toward reopening the port to tug and barge traffic, Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath of the US Coast Guard said at the Saturday news conference.
—Dalia Faheid, CNN, 31 Mar. 2024
Ledoux said moving the ship would require a damage assessment once the bridge parts are removed, including divers checking for damage underwater, and then clearance from authorities to tug the boat.
—Rachel Weiner, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
Crowds of them—with their own blond hair and subtle pastel outfits and cherubic smiles—started coming in and out of shot, tugging at her waist and playing with her measuring spoons.
—Nell Frizzell, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2024
With a book by Bekah Brunstetter (This Is Us) and music and lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson, the decade-spanning romance between Noah and Allie is ready to tug at the heart strings of a new audience.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 11 Mar. 2024
Little ones tugging at their first seersucker bowties.
—Valerie Fraser Luesse, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2024
Dalia Faheid, CNN, 30 Mar. 2024
Port workers are employed by different businesses, including trucking companies, container repair businesses, tug boat operators and more.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2024
Yee is also no stranger to the sometime uneasy tug of one’s roots.
—Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2024
The tug of war between employers and employees over the issue of returning to the office continues.
—William Arruda, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
With the city in a feverish state, Surya’s characters are involved in political resistance and a tug of love.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 21 Mar. 2024
The nation’s first all-electric tug boat has docked at the Port of San Diego and expects to begin emissions-free operations in about a month.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2024
The upcoming Taycan Turbo GT makes 777 hp to start, 27 more than the current Turbo S. But with a quick tug of the right shift paddle, the Turbo GT can gain an additional 160 hp for 10-second bursts.
—Tim Stevens, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 2024
For nearly 60 years throughout the 20th century, there was a constant tug of war in Idaho over a vast swath of land in Central Idaho, including the Sawtooth Range.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024
Verb
The 360-degree rotary dual-blade system and 9,000 RPM motor cut through hair quickly and easily without pulling or tugging the skin.
—Lindsay Modglin, Verywell Health, 8 Apr. 2024
From there, the policemen pulled and tugged Pierson halfway across the Gateway to the Americas International Bridge that stretches across the Rio Grande, their toes nearing a yellow line on the pavement that marks the actual divide of nations.
—Beth Warren, USA TODAY, 6 Apr. 2024
For example, when speaking to the German Bundestag, Zelensky referenced the Berlin Wall as well as the Holocaust, a deliberate attempt to tug at the heartstrings and win over the German public.
—Carmine Gallo, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024
The first debris lift – which involves using a using a 160-ton crane – marks the beginning of a long process toward reopening the port to tug and barge traffic, Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath of the US Coast Guard said at the Saturday news conference.
—Dalia Faheid, CNN, 31 Mar. 2024
Ledoux said moving the ship would require a damage assessment once the bridge parts are removed, including divers checking for damage underwater, and then clearance from authorities to tug the boat.
—Rachel Weiner, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
Crowds of them—with their own blond hair and subtle pastel outfits and cherubic smiles—started coming in and out of shot, tugging at her waist and playing with her measuring spoons.
—Nell Frizzell, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2024
With a book by Bekah Brunstetter (This Is Us) and music and lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson, the decade-spanning romance between Noah and Allie is ready to tug at the heart strings of a new audience.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 11 Mar. 2024
Little ones tugging at their first seersucker bowties.
—Valerie Fraser Luesse, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2024
Noun
That includes seven floating cranes, 10 tugs, nine barges, eight salvage vessels and five Coast Guard boats, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said.
—Dalia Faheid, CNN, 30 Mar. 2024
Port workers are employed by different businesses, including trucking companies, container repair businesses, tug boat operators and more.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2024
Yee is also no stranger to the sometime uneasy tug of one’s roots.
—Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2024
The tug of war between employers and employees over the issue of returning to the office continues.
—William Arruda, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
With the city in a feverish state, Surya’s characters are involved in political resistance and a tug of love.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 21 Mar. 2024
The nation’s first all-electric tug boat has docked at the Port of San Diego and expects to begin emissions-free operations in about a month.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2024
The upcoming Taycan Turbo GT makes 777 hp to start, 27 more than the current Turbo S. But with a quick tug of the right shift paddle, the Turbo GT can gain an additional 160 hp for 10-second bursts.
—Tim Stevens, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 2024
For nearly 60 years throughout the 20th century, there was a constant tug of war in Idaho over a vast swath of land in Central Idaho, including the Sawtooth Range.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tug.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4a
Time Traveler
The first known use of tug was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing tug
Dictionary Entries Near tug
Cite this Entry
“Tug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tug. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
Medical Definition
tug
see tracheal tug
More from Merriam-Webster on tug
Nglish: Translation of tug for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of tug for Arabic Speakers
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