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
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pluck
Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 2 July 2024
Taking one of America’s oldest and best-known brands into the future takes more than pluck and drive.
—Adriana Lee, WWD, 26 Nov. 2024
Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Apr. 2025
To a visitor’s eye, the light switch is nowhere to be found—that is, until a tintype photograph is plucked from a ledge near the front door to reveal a white plastic switch plate.
—Shoko Wanger, Architectural Digest, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pluck
Noun
So when her bogus application is accepted into NASA’s super competitive astronaut training program, Rex needs luck and plenty of pluck to avoid elimination.
—Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 2 July 2024
Taking one of America’s oldest and best-known brands into the future takes more than pluck and drive.
—Adriana Lee, WWD, 26 Nov. 2024
Verb
Looting has been happening for centuries, but today’s criminals have turned to advanced technologies—including sonar, drones and underwater metal detectors—to pluck treasure from shipwrecks and other ancient sites beneath the Mediterranean Sea, per the AP.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Apr. 2025
To a visitor’s eye, the light switch is nowhere to be found—that is, until a tintype photograph is plucked from a ledge near the front door to reveal a white plastic switch plate.
—Shoko Wanger, Architectural Digest, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pluck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pluck
Noun
-
As model efficiency improves, the gravitational pull of hyperscale clusters weakens.—
Emil Sayegh,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
-
Such is the pull of this unassuming Midwestern city, where students, faculty, staffers and alumni migrate back and forth from the handsome University of Michigan campus to the nearby restaurants, shops and bars of Ann Arbor’s bustling downtown.—
Brandon Griggs,
CNN Money,
10 May 2025
Noun
-
This is where the first-responder physio plays a critical role — staying vigilant, trusting their training and instincts, and having the courage to make the tough decision to remove a player when necessary.—
Geoff Scott,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
-
But any single act of courage might shift the trajectory of your life —or that of others.—
Margie Warrell,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
Verb
-
Custom Container Living View 8 Images Custom Container Living has transformed a shipping container into an ultra-compact tiny house that squeezes a home for two into just 160 sq ft (14.8 sq m).—
Adam Williams
May 08,
New Atlas,
8 May 2025
-
Officials hope that increased lending and spending will help ease deflationary pressures that have dragged down prices, squeezed company profits, and weakened consumer confidence.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 May 2025
Noun
-
The tug served multiple purposes beyond moving lumber, including transporting railway cars.—
Todd Richmond,
Twin Cities,
16 May 2025
-
The tug was one of the largest and most powerful on the Great Lakes, with a 670-horsepower engine.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
16 May 2025
Noun
-
Because buried underneath all the playoff grit and defensive toughness is a generational offensive weapon — one who can shift a game, a series, even a season with the flick of a wrist.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2025
-
But new life and civilizations await, including a villain that will test our characters’ grit and resolve.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
15 May 2025
Verb
-
Suarez is getting stung here and there, but the last two rounds the challenger is landing a bit cleaner.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2025
-
Additionally, getting stung by an Asian needle ant can be dangerous due to the life-threatening anaphylaxis that a sting can trigger.—
Lauren Thomann,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 May 2025
Noun
-
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
-
Each blade has a pull tab at the top of its cartridge; just give it a gentle yank to remove it.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
At the time, videos of motivational speakers and clips focused on mental fortitude became a regular part of his life.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
13 May 2025
-
The word cowboy itself was used in a derogatory way to describe the former slaves as 'boys,' ... destroying the negative connotation, what remains is the strength and resiliency of these men who were the true definition of Western fortitude.—
Alex Gonzalez,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pluck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pluck. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share