1
2
as in to pry
to draw out by force or with effort
the dentist had to struggle to pull the tooth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in tug
the act or an instance of applying force on something so that it moves in the direction of the force
I gave the door such a pull that when it suddenly opened, I nearly fell backwards
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in influence
the power to direct the thinking or behavior of others usually indirectly
their lawyer supposedly has a lot of pull with the administration in Washington
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in advantage
the more favorable condition or position in a competition
a political candidate with all of the pull that comes with a vast fortune and famous surname
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of pull
Cate Charron, IndyStar, 28 Mar. 2026
The argument escalates into a physical altercation with the women pushing, punching and pulling hair.
—Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026
Michael Khouw, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2026
The push, pull and discovery of these motives morph into a violent blowout that ultimately dismembers their existing familial foundation.
—Sibani Ram, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pull
Verb
Organizers used a wood hook to pull candidates who go over time off the soapbox.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 28 Mar. 2026
The argument escalates into a physical altercation with the women pushing, punching and pulling hair.
—Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026
Noun
While the broader airline sector is weathering a storm of escalating costs and geopolitical fragmentation, Delta Air Lines (DAL) has managed to maintain an altitude that defies the market’s current gravitational pull.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2026
The push, pull and discovery of these motives morph into a violent blowout that ultimately dismembers their existing familial foundation.
—Sibani Ram, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pull
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pull
Verb
-
The barge was hauling concrete debris to an empty lot on Di Lido Island in Miami Beach across the bay.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Tankers hauling oil have been stuck in the Strait, impacting not only American gas prices, but energy prices around the world.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Transportation Security Administration officers are nearing a breaking point as a weeks-long partial government shutdown stretches on, threatening airport operations in North Texas and leaving workers without pay, union leaders say.—
Marvin Hurst,
CBS News,
25 Mar. 2026
-
His collaborators included some of the most significant directors in Hollywood history, among them Michael Curtiz, John Frankenheimer, Sidney Lumet and Martin Ritt, with a roster of stars stretching from Humphrey Bogart and James Cagney to Paul Newman, Rock Hudson and Barbra Streisand.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Scheduling tugs, fuel barges, crane operators, drayage trucks and drivers is complex indeed.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The tug of war is just starting.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In interviews with The Star, politicians, consultants and other political experts touted Graves’ ability to use his influence in Washington to bolster Kansas City’s most important projects.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Charlotte credited him and maternal grandfather Jeff Foy for being big influences on her softball path.—
Rick Armstrong,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Defending Houston Open champion Min Woo Lee and Michael Thorbjornsen are both at 12-under 198 through three rounds, meaning Woodland, at 18-under, has a 6-stroke advantage over the third-place golfers.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Led by McKenney and Gayle, the Wolverines (34-3) enjoyed a 33-6 advantage in bench points.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That said, its opposition to severe Pluto presses against your dependable 6th house, potentially dragging you away from rest.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The Transportation Security Administration may have to shut down operations at some airports if the budget impasse drags on, the agency’s acting head said yesterday, even as record wait times for travelers did little to end the standoff over the funding fight in Congress.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Zach Neto and Nolan Schanuel drew walks, sandwiched around a Trout single, and then Soler yanked a three-run double down the left field line.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Minnesota starter Taj Bradley struck out nine over 4 1/3 innings, but was yanked after throwing 92 pitches.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
It was later changed due to players getting hurt.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
-
However, having players of those caliber on the court, both of whom have either been to the NBA Finals or won it, certainly shouldn't hurt.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pull.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pull. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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