1
as in pull
the act or an instance of applying force on something so that it moves in the direction of the force
a quick pluck pulled the hair right out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in courage
the strength of mind that enables a person to endure pain or hardship
it takes pluck to survive a crippling car accident and still go on to become successful
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to squeeze
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
the Internet opened up a whole new medium for con artists to pluck the gullible
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of pluck
Philip Elliott, TIME, 25 Feb. 2025
In 2015, an exceedingly polite, marmalade-slurping fellow in a floppy felt hat and blue duffel coat arrived in theaters and offered an uplifting story about tolerance and pluck.
—Brooks Barnes, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 11 July 2025
However, the process of preparing the dish stems from his childhood of plucking rocks and debris from the bean pot.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pluck
Noun
Yes, Republicans have been getting an earful from their districts, but those skirmishes are going to look perfectly benign compared to what a vindictive Trump could unleash for lawmakers who show too much pluck.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 25 Feb. 2025
In 2015, an exceedingly polite, marmalade-slurping fellow in a floppy felt hat and blue duffel coat arrived in theaters and offered an uplifting story about tolerance and pluck.
—Brooks Barnes, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
Verb
If possible, try not to pluck them off with your bare hands.
Wash the area with sea water—not fresh water.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 11 July 2025
However, the process of preparing the dish stems from his childhood of plucking rocks and debris from the bean pot.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pluck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pluck
Noun
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Plus, melted provolone is delightfully stretchy, which guarantees a mouth-watering cheese pull.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
25 July 2025
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Since the exoplanet doesn't transit, or pass in front of, its host star from our perspective, astronomers spotted it by tracking subtle shifts in the star's motion that are caused by the planet's gravitational pull.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
24 July 2025
Noun
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Trapped in the depths of the ocean, surrounded by sharks and with a ruthless enemy lurking above, Tatiana – the lead role played by Marano – must use all her wit and courage to survive and save her friends.—
Emiliano De Pablos,
Variety,
17 July 2025
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Representing someone who could face capital punishment requires a unique combination of experience, courage and dedication, said Bob Boruchowitz, longtime director of the Defender Initiative at Seattle University’s law school.—
Kevin Fixler,
Idaho Statesman,
17 July 2025
Verb
-
The Euro 2025 quarter-finals had late drama, with Italy squeezing past Norway, a comeback out of nowhere from England, and a farcical penalty shootout win over Sweden.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
20 July 2025
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In particular, the price of rice has doubled, squeezing many household budgets despite government handouts.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
20 July 2025
Noun
-
Their ordeal tugs at every family that ever dropped a kiddo off with bug spray, stamped envelopes and hope.—
Bill Weir,
CNN Money,
14 July 2025
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The tug of war over deportations reflects a broader shift in U.S. immigration policy, where enforcement is increasingly intersecting with international diplomacy.—
Antonio Maria Delgado
July 11,
Miami Herald,
11 July 2025
Noun
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Agriculture is invented, only to wear down farmers’ teeth with grit from the stones used to mill grain.—
Burkhard Bilger,
New Yorker,
28 July 2025
-
Yes, that bag of grits that’s stashed away in your pantry.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
27 July 2025
Verb
-
The bees became aggressive and stung the man multiple times.—
Laura Daniella Sepulveda,
AZCentral.com,
9 July 2025
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Those walking through Aurillac, a quaint French community, were stung over a 30-minute period, with three people in critical condition evacuated to a hospital.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
8 July 2025
Noun
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Running on a level surface (in supportive shoes—see above!) can serve as plenty a cardio workout without the extra yank on your plantar fascia.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
20 June 2025
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Four yanks later, voila: Clayton had pulled free his prize, leaving just a single strand of nylon stuck in the Alamodome rim.—
Brendan Marks,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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All-Star team along with KC shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. The selection also underscored something else significant and what’s really special about this: the patience and fortitude that enabled Bubic not simply to recover from his fickle fortunes, but to harness them.—
Vahe Gregorian
July 8,
Kansas City Star,
8 July 2025
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Now is the time to stand up for every American’s First Amendment right to tell their story, to dissent from the government’s world view, to celebrate the resilience and fortitude of ancestors who fought for their rights and their culture in this country.—
John Leguizamo,
New York Daily News,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pluck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pluck. Accessed 1 Aug. 2025.
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