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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of pull
ABC News, 21 Sep. 2025
They’re designed in a soft, stretchy jersey with a pull-on silhouette and mid-rise waistband.
—Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2025
Chris Wysopal, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Finally, the dogs were asked to select a pull or fetch toy from among the unlabeled items.
—Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pull
Verb
Trump suggests regulators pull networks off the airwaves over critical coverage.
—ABC News, 21 Sep. 2025
They’re designed in a soft, stretchy jersey with a pull-on silhouette and mid-rise waistband.
—Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2025
Noun
Hacking For Good One thing people outside the hacking community don’t always understand is the social pull.
—Chris Wysopal, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Finally, the dogs were asked to select a pull or fetch toy from among the unlabeled items.
—Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pull
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pull
Verb
-
While Alex is reeling from his discovery, Dwayne attacks him and hauls him away.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Historians said the materials used to build it, except for the stones, were hauled down to the canyon bottom by mule.—
Michael Salerno,
AZCentral.com,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Crystal Palace are now 17 games unbeaten in all competitions after Saturday’s 2-1 win at West Ham United, a sequence that stretches back to April and includes Wembley wins over Manchester City in last season’s FA Cup final and Liverpool, on penalties, in this year’s Community Shield.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
21 Sep. 2025
-
Police tape stretching across a road in front of a crime scene.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The Russian submarine was accompanied by the cruiser Varyag—identified by its hull number—and a rescue tug.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Here, fat-tire bicycles seem to outnumber cars, hours are measured in sunscreen applications and tugs on fishing lines, and island nightlife belongs to nesting sea turtles.—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
This zone is crucial for pitch framing, where catchers use their presentation to influence umpires into calling borderline pitches strikes.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
27 Sep. 2025
-
That lasting influence — in music, fashion, and Brooklyn’s cultural identity — is exactly why the Nets are turning to Biggie as a central figure this season.—
Christopher Claxton,
Billboard,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
At stake is the Supporters’ Shield for the league’s best overall record, home-field advantage in the playoffs and a berth in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Sep. 2025
-
All right, maybe not everything, but investors have been blessed with an abundance of advantages and good fundamental fortune, along with the policy help the market both hoped for and expected.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Wandering among the half naked nymphs and leering wolves and buff mermen poking their lovely wet heads out of glassy forest pools, their eyes dark with wanting to drag her down to oblivion.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Sep. 2025
-
The robber barons and telecom wildcatters borrowed to build their empires, and dragged their financiers down with them when the music stopped.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
An engineer recently wrapped a chain around a humanoid robot’s neck and violently yanked it.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Jessica Chastain has responded to Apple TV+’s decision to yank her new series, The Savant, which was originally due to release on Friday, September 26.—
Eric Vilas-Boas,
Vulture,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Paul’s assistance doesn’t hurt.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
25 Sep. 2025
-
One Battle After Another is full of pointed little moments like that, details that are at first funny — Lockjaw’s too-tight shirts, a group of separatists’ badly done face tattoos — but ultimately convey contempt for people who wield their power exclusively to hurt others.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pull.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pull. Accessed 27 Sep. 2025.
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