yank

verb \ ˈyaŋk \

Updated on: 15 Apr 2018

Definition of yank

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

See yank defined for English-language learners

Examples of yank in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of yank from the Web

Lobov was yanked from the card and banned from the building.

— crimesider staff, CBS News, "Conor McGregor seen leaving police station in handcuffs after backstage melee," 6 Apr. 2018
Moore was tagged for six runs (five earned) on five hits and four walks and was yanked after 3 1/3 innings in an 8-5 loss to the Blue Jays at Globe Life Park.

— stefan stevenson, star-telegram, "Is Big Sexy the sexiest option right now for Rangers' rotation?," 6 Apr. 2018
Carried over from the current RAV4, the Adventure ups the truck ante further with larger tires and a different front bumper and grille design seemingly yanked right off the Tacoma pickup.

— alexander stoklosa, Car and Driver, "2019 Toyota RAV4 / RAV4 Hybrid: Sales Champ Gets a Compelling Overhaul," 29 Mar. 2018
Police eventually tried another PIT maneuver, and at some point, after the car had stopped, police opened the man's car door and yanked him out through the driver's-side door.

— samantha ketterer, Houston Chronicle, "Police use PIT manuever to end hourlong chase," 22 Mar. 2018
When Luongo suffered a hand injury in October, Reimer couldn’t carry the Panthers, even being yanked in consecutive losses to Tampa Bay and Columbus.

— matthew defranks, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Goalie James Reimer backstops Panthers to victory over Bruins," 16 Mar. 2018
The crisis-management teams at the companies who still have their leaders on the panel will have no doubt been yanked into action.

— lara o’reilly, WSJ, "CMO Today: Vice and Airbnb Tie-up; Pandora Hires Sling’s Lynch; CEOs Quit Trump Advisory Panel," 15 Aug. 2017
John Sullivan rode next to him, working the siren and yanking the cord that sounds the horn.

— sean flynn, Esquire, "The Perfect Fire," 9 Mar. 2017
After Ethier yanked his arm away, the deputy forced him to the ground, causing a scrape on Ethier’s arm, authorities said.

— michael williams, OrlandoSentinel.com, "YouTube star claimed to be 'very powerful,' threatened lawsuit during Disney arrest, deputies say," 27 Mar. 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of yank

origin unknown

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1822

See Words from the same year

yank Synonyms

Synonyms

buck, hitch, jerk, jolt, twitch;

Related Words

bump, jounce, lurch, pitch, stagger;

jig, jiggle, jog, joggle, shake;

drag, lug, pull, tug;

pluck, tweak;

grab, rip, snap (up), snatch, tear, wrench, wrest, wring;

yank

noun

Definition of yank

: a strong sudden pull : jerk

See yank defined for English-language learners

See yank defined for kids

Examples of yank in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of yank from the Web

View 39 Photos 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

First Known Use of yank

circa 1864

yank Synonyms

Yank

noun \ ˈyaŋk \

Definition of Yank

: yankee

See Yank defined for English-language learners

See Yank defined for kids

First Known Use of yank

1778

YANK Defined for English Language Learners

yank

verb

Definition of yank for English Language Learners

: to suddenly pull (something) in a quick, forceful way
: to quickly or suddenly remove (something or someone)

yank

noun

Definition of yank for English Language Learners

: a strong, quick pull

Yank

noun

Definition of Yank for English Language Learners

: a person from the U.S.

YANK Defined for Kids

yank

noun \ ˈyaŋk \

Definition of yank for Students

: a strong sudden pull : jerk

yank

verb

Definition of yank for Students

yanked; yanking

: to pull suddenly or forcefully

I go over and yank his arm and make him sit down.
—Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, Shiloh

Learn More about yank

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

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yank

Definition of yank

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Origin and Etymology of yank

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Synonyms

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yank

Definition of yank

Examples of yank in a Sentence

Recent Examples of yank from the Web

First Known Use of yank

yank Synonyms

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Yank

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YANK Defined for English Language Learners

yank

Definition of yank for English Language Learners

yank

Definition of yank for English Language Learners

Yank

Definition of Yank for English Language Learners

YANK Defined for Kids

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yank

Definition of yank for Students

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