tug

1 of 3

verb

ˈtəg 

tugged; tugging

intransitive verb

1

: to pull hard

2

: to struggle in opposition : contend

3

: to exert oneself laboriously : labor

transitive verb

1

: to pull or strain hard or forcefully at

felt someone tugging my sleeve

tugged the cord until it came out of the socket

2

a

: to move by pulling hard : haul

b

: to carry with difficulty : lug

3

: to tow with a tugboat

tugger noun

tug

2 of 3

noun

1

a

: an act or instance of tugging : pull

gave the rope a good tug

b

: a strong pulling force

felt a tug on his jersey

2

a

: a straining effort

b

: a struggle between two people or opposite forces

3

: tugboat

4

a

: trace entry 3 sense 1

b

: a short leather strap or loop

c

: a rope or chain used for pulling

Tug

3 of 3

abbreviation

tugrik, tugriks

Synonyms of tug

Verb

• pull
• haul
• drag

Noun

• pull
• yank
• jerk
• wrench

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

Verb

Dogs tug excitedly at their leashes as children lead them through the rolling hills. — Patricia Huon, Christian Science Monitor, 30 June 2026

The standout attachment for me is the large round barrel brush, which smoothed my hair with ease and didn’t tug or snag it along the way. — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 1 July 2026

Noun

Partake in bags, log-rolling, hula hooping, the limbo and tug-o-war. — Cole Premo, CBS News, 29 June 2026

Some ships, eager to get out of harm’s the war’s way, may have their vessels towed tug their boats out of the strait before they’re cleaned. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 23 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English tuggen; akin to Old English togian to pull — more at tow

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4a

Phrases Containing tug

• tug-of-love
• tug-of-war
• tug/pull at one's heartstrings
• tug/touch one's forelock

Rhymes for tug

• chug
• doug
• drug
• dug
• hug
• jug
• lug
• mug
• plug
• pug
• rug
• rugg

Kids Definition

tug

1 of 2 verb

ˈtəg 

tugged; tugging

1

a

: to pull hard

b

: to move by pulling hard : drag

2

: to tow with a tugboat

tugger noun

tug

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: an act or instance of tugging : pull

b

: a strong pulling force

2

: a struggle between two people or forces

3

: tugboat

Medical Definition

tug

see tracheal tug