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tug

play
verb \ˈtəg\

Definition of tug

tugged

;

tugging
  1. intransitive verb

  2. 1 :  to pull hard

  3. 2 :  to struggle in opposition :  contend

  4. 3 :  to exert oneself laboriously :  labor

  5. transitive verb

  6. 1 :  to pull or strain hard at

  7. 2a :  to move by pulling hard :  haulb :  to carry with difficulty :  lug

  8. 3 :  to tow with a tugboat

tugger

noun

See tug defined for English-language learners

See tug defined for kids

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Examples of tug in a Sentence

  1. I felt someone tugging on my sleeve.

  2. She tugged the cord until the plug came out of the wall socket.

Origin and Etymology of tug

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


First Known Use: 14th century

tug Synonyms

Synonyms
drag, draw, hale, haul, lug, tow, pull
Antonyms
drive, propel, push
Related Words
attract; heave, jerk, yank; carry, convey, ferry, move, transport
Near Antonyms
shove, thrust
2

tug

noun

Definition of tug

  1. 1a :  an act or instance of tugging :  pullb :  a strong pulling force

  2. 2a :  a straining effortb :  a struggle between two people or opposite forces

  3. 3 :  tugboat

  4. 4a :  3trace 1b :  a short leather strap or loopc :  a rope or chain used for pulling

See tug defined for English-language learners

Examples of tug in a Sentence

  1. He felt a gentle tug on his sleeve.

  2. gave the man in front a tug on his shirtsleeve as a sign that he was supposed to step aside

15th Century

First Known Use of tug

15th century

tug Synonyms

Synonyms
draw, haul, jerk, pluck, pull, wrench, yank
Antonyms
push
Related Words
drag, tow; hitch, twitch; grab, snatch
Near Antonyms
heave, shove, thrust

Other Animal Husbandry Terms

apiary, bantam, calico, girth, hogwash, mast, rut

Tug

abbreviation

Definition of Tug

  1. tugrik, tugriks

Phrases Related to TUG

Related Phrases

TUG Defined for English Language Learners

1

tug

play
verb \ˈtəg\

Definition of tug for English Language Learners

  • : to pull something with a quick, forceful movement

2

tug

noun

Definition of tug for English Language Learners

  • : an act of pulling on something : a quick pull

  • : a strong pulling force

TUG Defined for Kids

1

tug

play
verb \ˈtəg\

Definition of tug for Students

tugged

;

tugging

  1. 1 :  to pull hard I tugged at the rope.

  2. 2 :  to move by pulling hard :  drag

  3. 3 :  to tow with a tugboat

2

tug

play
noun

Definition of tug for Students

  1. 1 :  an act of pulling hard :  a hard pull She gave him a tug.

  2. 2 :  tugboat

  3. 3 :  a strong pulling force the tug of gravity

  4. 4 :  a struggle between two people or forces

Medical Dictionary

tug

Medical Definition of tug

  1. —see tracheal tug

Learn More about tug

  1. See words that rhyme with tug Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for tug Spanish Central: Translation of tug Nglish: Translation of tug for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of tug for Arabic speakers

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Examples: tug in a Sentence