yank

verb

\ˈyaŋk

yanked; yanking; yanks

Definition of yank

(Entry 1 of 3)

intransitive verb

: to pull on something with a quick vigorous movement

transitive verb

1 : to pull or extract with a quick vigorous movement

2 : to remove in or as if in an abrupt manner yanked the story from the evening edition

yank

noun (1)

Definition of yank (Entry 2 of 3)

: a strong sudden pull : jerk

Yank

noun (2)

\ˈyaŋk

Definition of Yank (Entry 3 of 3)

: yankee

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about yank

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Synonyms & Antonyms for yank

Synonyms: Verb

buck, hitch, jerk, jolt, twitch

Synonyms: Noun (1)

draw, haul, jerk, pluck, pull, tug, wrench

Antonyms: Noun (1)

push

Examples of yank in a Sentence

Verb

He yanked the door shut. She yanked on the dog's leash.

Noun (1)

had to give the shoe a good yank to get it off

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Smooth a muslin strip over the area, pull the skin taut, then yank the strip back in the opposite direction of the hair growth. — Kayleigh Donahue, Allure, "Allure's Guide to Hair Removal From Your Brows to Your Bikini Line," 6 June 2018 When the Open’s first round began on Thursday at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, Woods had to grind to avoid being yanked into the same abyss that swallowed McIlroy, who posted a 10-over 80 in the morning. — Karen Crouse, New York Times, "Back at the U.S. Open, Tiger Woods Struggles, Then Shrugs," 14 June 2018 After Lorenzo Cain bounced into a force at second, Shaw jumped on a 3-0 pitch from Chatwood and yanked it down the first-base line and into the corner for a two-run double and quick 2-0 lead. — Tom Haudricourt, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Brewers 4, Cubs 0: Chase Anderson's arm, Travis Shaw's bat finally subdue the Cubs," 12 June 2018 Now, Chief Executive Randall Stephenson said Wednesday, but the streaming service is just part of his long-term focus on yanking AT&T into the digital-entertainment future. — Meg James, latimes.com, "AT&T chief is focused on using Time Warner as a springboard into the digital future," 30 May 2018 Wendell Smallwood fumbled during a team drill — a quick reminder here that players weren’t in pads and contact was limited — and was promptly yanked. — Jeff Mclane, Philly.com, "Eagles practice observations: Carson Wentz is back (sort of); the first depth chart; Jay Ajayi shines," 22 May 2018 Their original protest march had begun with 10 students but dropped quickly to nine, when an irate parent drove downtown and yanked her daughter into the car. — Eli Saslow, Washington Post, "After school shootings, a teenager challenges the gun culture in her conservative Wyoming town," 18 May 2018 Like our smartphones, virtual reality yanks us into disembodied worlds. — Cate Mcquaid, BostonGlobe.com, "Meet six talented art-school grads," 27 Apr. 2018 Using a hammer, bat, or shovel, knock the studs loose from the bottom plate on the base 2 x 4, and then yank them free from the top. — Popular Mechanics, "10 Survival Skills You Need To Know," 5 Mar. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

On the single gravel turn used at the Phoenix test track, a quick yank on the handbrake is all that’s needed to make the car turn-in. — Josh Jacquot, Car and Driver, "Behind the Wheel of Subaru's WRX STI Global Rallycross Car," 20 Oct. 2017 Sweed gave him a little yank, not even hard, on the jersey. — Zach Helfand, latimes.com, "USC-Texas revisited: LenDale White and what happened after fourth-and-two," 13 Sep. 2017 The pony-tail yank was captured by the jail’s security cameras. — Gwen Filosa, miamiherald, "Inmate attacks inmate over their breakup, cops say," 1 June 2017

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