tug

verb \ ˈtəg \

Updated on: 8 Apr 2018

Definition of tug

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 at

2 a : to move by pulling hard : haul

b : to carry with difficulty : lug

3 : to tow with a tugboat

—

tugger

noun

See tug defined for English-language learners

See tug defined for kids

Examples of tug in a Sentence

I felt someone tugging on my sleeve.
She tugged the cord until the plug came out of the wall socket.

Recent Examples of tug from the Web

From day one of the three-day voting extravaganza, officials went to great lengths to get out the vote, tugging at patriotic heartstrings but also warning those who stayed home would incur 500 pound penalty.

— Bloomberg.com, "Egypt’s El-Sisi Bags Election Win Against ‘Mousa Something’," 30 Mar. 2018
Now Carter has led the Cardinals to the Final Four, not by tugging them along in her wake but by guiding them forward with a steady hand on their shoulders.

— danielle lerner, The Courier-Journal, "A coach at heart, point guard Arica Carter doesn't need a spotlight to lead Louisville," 28 Mar. 2018
Pomegranate seed oil, raspberry seed extract, and vitamin E in the formula deliver not only added antioxidant benefits, but also make for a creamy base that glides on smoothly, without tugging.

— melanie rud chadwick, Allure, "Bare Republic Launches Neon Sunscreen Sticks — and Yes, They Are Super Cool," 22 Mar. 2018
In one piece of YouTube footage, Crews is clasping a large flagpole in front of another black protester, Corey Long, who is tugging on the other end.

— ian shapira, chicagotribune.com, "Black man beaten in Charlottesville found not guilty of assaulting white supremacist," 16 Mar. 2018
The dog is distracted by audience applause, and wants to wander off, but Buddy tugs on the leash and the two sit down with Harvey.

— kristi turnquist, OregonLive.com, "Oregon boy and his Labradoodle best friend appear on 'Little Big Shots' Sunday," 16 Mar. 2018
Then there's the premiere of Alexa & Katie, a series about two best friends that'll tug at your heartstrings.

— brianna wiest, Teen Vogue, "Netflix Arrivals March 2018," 23 Feb. 2018
Exceptionally tolerant, our cats never scratch or hiss, no matter how fiercely a little boy may be tugging on their tails.

— ida lieszkovszky, cleveland.com, "I've stopped telling my son to hug people: Multitasking Moms and Dads," 11 Feb. 2018
This method weaves hair into the braid in a way that minimizes tugging on fragile follicles.

— nykia spradley, SELF, "The First Sign of Traction Alopecia—and How to Stop It Before It’s Too Late," 29 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tug.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of tug

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

tug Synonyms

tug

noun

Definition of tug

1 a : an act or instance of tugging : pull

b : a strong pulling force

2 a : a straining effort

b : a struggle between two people or opposite forces

3 : tugboat

4 a : ³trace 1

b : a short leather strap or loop

c : a rope or chain used for pulling

See tug defined for English-language learners

Examples of tug in a Sentence

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 of tug from the Web

Lemar was part of a projected transfer tug-of-war between the Premier League duo Arsenal and Liverpool this summer, with Arsenal reportedly offering in excess of £90m for his services on the final day of the window.

— SI.com, "Arsenal Legend Warns Arsene Wenger About Hefty Price Tag of Monaco's Thomas Lemar," 28 Oct. 2017
But usually the tow plane just comes and gives you another tug up into the sky.

— david patterson, star-telegram, "A Soaring Passion," 27 Oct. 2017
The freighter was seen passing through the Straits of Mackinac at 10:20 a.m., and was last seen by a tug boat on upper Lake Huron that evening, A gale came up, sweeping across the lake.

— brent ashcroft, Detroit Free Press, "Mystery solved: S.S. Clifton discovered in Lake Huron," 21 Sep. 2017
The monumental tug-of-war between slavery and freedom.

— will bunch, Philly.com, "The U.S. learned some lessons from the Vietnam War. The wrong ones," 19 Sep. 2017
The tug’s driver was hospitalized in stable condition, according to the airline.

— joe marusak, charlotteobserver, "1 hurt when American Eagle plane hits tug at Charlotte’s airport," 13 Sep. 2017
Monuments that Confederate commander Robert E. Lee opposed are the subject of tugs-of-war across the country.

— author: shannyn moore, Alaska Dispatch News, "Check out your ancestry, Americans," 19 Aug. 2017
At least six recent court cases involve a tug-of-war over contribution caps.

— Time, "Statehouses, Not Congress, Hosting Biggest Political Money Fights," 28 July 2017
West seemed to feel the tug of the Warriors' sociopolitical bent.

— jack mccallum, SI.com, "The Divorce Between Jerry West and the Warriors," 12 Oct. 2017

First Known Use of tug

15th century

tug Synonyms

Synonyms

draw, haul, jerk, pluck, pull, wrench, yank;

Antonyms

push;

Near Antonyms

heave, shove, thrust;

Related Words

drag, tow;

hitch, twitch;

grab, snatch;

Other Animal Husbandry Terms

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

Tug

abbreviation

Definition of Tug

tugrik, tugriks

TUG Defined for English Language Learners

tug

verb

Definition of tug for English Language Learners

: to pull something with a quick, forceful movement

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

tug

verb \ ˈtəg \

Definition of tug for Students

tugged; tugging

1 : to pull hard

I tugged at the rope.

2 : to move by pulling hard : drag

3 : to tow with a tugboat

tug

noun

Definition of tug for Students

1 : an act of pulling hard : a hard pull

She gave him a tug.

2 : tugboat

3 : a strong pulling force

the tug of gravity

4 : a struggle between two people or forces

Medical Dictionary

tug

medical Definition of tug

— see tracheal tug

Learn More about tug

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

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up tug? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

tug

Definition of tug

tugger

Examples of tug in a Sentence

Recent Examples of tug from the Web

Origin and Etymology of tug

tug Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

tug

Definition of tug

Examples of tug in a Sentence

Recent Examples of tug from the Web

First Known Use of tug

tug Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Other Animal Husbandry Terms

Tug

Definition of Tug

Phrases Related to TUG

Related Phrases

TUG Defined for English Language Learners

tug

Definition of tug for English Language Learners

tug

Definition of tug for English Language Learners

TUG Defined for Kids

tug

Definition of tug for Students

tug

Definition of tug for Students

Medical Dictionary

tug

medical Definition of tug

Learn More about tug

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Words We're Watching: 'Bluebeard,' the Verb

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Trending: Trump: Den of Thieves and 'Lowlifes'

The Adverb: A Most Fascinating POS

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes