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, hoick, 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

Neither means of access is very convenient: the roll top requires two hands to manipulate the latch and then unroll all the material, while access via the TIZIP requires one hand to grasp the bag firmly while the other yanks the TIZIP open. — Thomas Ricker, The Verge, "‘The world’s most versatile waterproof backpack’ review," 20 Nov. 2018 For now, White House aides said, Giuliani still has a direct line in to Trump—the two speak almost daily—and nobody in the West Wing is eager to insert themselves between the two irascible New Yorkers by yanking Giuliani off TV. — Tina Nguyen, The Hive, "Will Donald Trump Put Rudy Out of His Misery?," 8 May 2018 The white officer yanks the student up to his feet and draws his arm around him, placing him in a chokehold. — Anne Branigin, The Root, "High School Antwon Rose Attended Faces Brutal Allegations of Police Abuse: Report," 28 June 2018 Dusk at Ravinia in Highland Park means finding the mosquito repellent while balancing a plastic glass filled with wine or beer yanked earlier from a packed cooler. — Lynn Petrak, chicagotribune.com, "Petrak: Dusk in summertime brings anticipation of music, fireworks and a cool breeze," 7 June 2018 Gonzalez, 45, and Torres moved together to South Bend, Ind., the Class A Midwest League in 2015, and the mentoring remained gentle, but firm enough that Gonzalez once yanked him from a game for not running hard on a ground ball. — Dom Amore, courant.com, "Dom Amore: East Hartford's Jimmy Gonzalez Was There At Right Time For Gleyber Torres," 4 June 2018 During the regular season, Orchard, a D.J. who spent nearly seven years as a Medieval Times show director in Europe, evolved from a ceremonial prop into the catalyst of an Arthurian legend, yanking a sword from a stone. — Ben Shpigel, New York Times, "Don’t Arrive Late to the Game. You’ll Miss the Show.," 17 May 2018 Hess yanked a slider at Markaki's feet for ball three before going back to the well one too many times with the curveball, one Markakis smacked off the right-field wall for a double. — Jon Meoli, baltimoresun.com, "Orioles' David Hess struggles to put Braves away as 7-3 loss denies sweep," 24 June 2018 Others yanked him close to kiss his cheek, shake his hand, slap his back. — Dudley Althaus, San Antonio Express-News, "Appealing to populists, Lopez Obrador on verge of winning Mexico’s presidency," 22 June 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.