pull

pull

noun

Definition of PULL

1

the act or an instance of applying force on something so that it moves in the direction of the force <I gave the door such a pull that when it suddenly opened, I nearly fell backwards>

Synonyms draw, haul, jerk, pluck, tug, wrench, yank

Related Words drag, tow; hitch, twitch; grab, snatch

Near Antonyms heave, shove, thrust

Antonyms push

2

the power to direct the thinking or behavior of others usually indirectly <their lawyer supposedly has a lot of pull with the administration in Washington>

Synonyms authority, clout, credit, heft, in, juice [slang], leverage, pull, sway, weight

Related Words counterinfluence; command, dominance, dominion, mastery, predominance, reign, scepter, sovereignty (also sovranty), supremacy; consequence, eminence, importance, moment; impact, impress, impression, imprint, mark

Near Antonyms helplessness, impotence, impotency, powerlessness, weakness

3

the more favorable condition or position in a competition <a political candidate with all of the pull that comes with a vast fortune and famous surname>

Synonyms better, bulge, catbird seat, drop, edge, high ground, inside track, jump, pull, stead, upper hand, vantage, whip hand

Related Words allowance, head start, lead, leg up, margin, odds, start; ascendancy (also ascendency), command, dominance, mastery, predominance, superiority, supremacy, transcendence, transcendency; precedence, preference, prerogative, privilege, seniority; break, foothold, opportunity; benefit, blessing, boon, felicity, godsend, manna, windfall

Near Antonyms detriment, stranglehold; disparity, imbalance, inequality, unevenness; disability, failing, impairment, shortcoming; bar, catch, check, clog, crimp, embarrassment, hindrance, hitch, hurdle, impediment, interference, let, manacle, obstacle, obstruction, rub, shackle, stop, trammel; lurch, setback

Antonyms disadvantage, drawback, handicap, liability, minus, penalty, strike