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 at

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

b

: a strong pulling force

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

Verb

• drag
• draw
• hale
• haul
• lug
• pull
• tow

Noun

• draw
• haul
• jerk
• pluck
• pull
• wrench
• yank

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

Branches scratched her face and arms and twigs tugged at her hair, pulling dark strands from the ribbon’s hold. —Lizz Schumer, People.com, 1 May 2025

Deep into the second half, Kylian Mbappe equalized on 70 minutes thanks to a rare converted free kick after Frenkie de Jong brought him down with a tactical foul that consisted of tugging at the Frenchman’s shirt. —Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025

Noun

The title tugs on the irony of Mulvaney’s three-dimensional story while playing with the two-dimensional notion of what a paper doll is. —Denny, Them., 30 Apr. 2025

While puppies often love rubbery chew toys, older or senior dogs may prefer softer toys that are easier to hold and tug. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025

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