Synonyms of pluck

pluck 1 of 2

noun

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

• pull
• tug
• yank
• jerk
• draw
• haul
• wrench
• grab
• tow
• drag
• hitch
• snatch
• twitch

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• push
• thrust
• shove
• heave

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

• courage
• grit
• fortitude
• spunk
• guts
• bravery
• determination
• stamina
• courageousness
• backbone
• fiber
• endurance
• nerve
• constancy
• grittiness
• daring
• intestinal fortitude
• resoluteness
• purposefulness
• gallantry
• valor
• resolution
• fearlessness
• stoutness
• audacity
• tolerance
• intrepidity
• temerity
• mettle
• chutzpah
• effrontery
• boldness
• brass
• gall
• sufferance
• forbearance
• intrepidness
• hardihood
• spirit
• dauntlessness
• heart
• cheek
• doughtiness
• greatheartedness
• nerviness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• vacillation
• spinelessness
• irresolution
• timidity
• indecisiveness
• cowardice
• pusillanimity
• timorousness
• faintheartedness
• cowardliness
• irresoluteness
• cravenness
• dastardliness

pluck

2 of 2

verb

ˈplək 

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

• squeeze
• sting
• hustle
• cheat
• stick
• beat
• screw
• do
• bleed
• deceive
• victimize
• chisel
• sucker
• trick
• shake down
• defraud
• fiddle
• skin
• exploit
• shortchange
• bilk
• ream
• swindle
• cozen
• chouse
• mulct
• short
• diddle
• rip off
• fleece
• rook
• nobble
• stiff
• betray
• gaff
• take for a ride
• hose
• flimflam
• fool
• con
• skunk
• extort
• euchre
• take to the cleaners
• wring
• wrest
• wrench
• thimblerig
• clip
• gouge
• do in
• soak
• sell a bill of goods to
• nick
• gull
• milk
• dupe
• overcharge
• rope (in)
• bitch
• double-cross
• bamboozle
• fast-talk

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of pluck

Noun

The opening acoustic guitar plucks were full in the lower frequencies while showing enough treble finesse to convey fine string texture. — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 14 June 2026

The multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter, who rocks an early era Maxwell ‘fro, plays drums, plucks bass, and sings about the ups and downs of love and consumerism on his new album, LK99. — Elise Brisco, Rolling Stone, 22 May 2026

Verb

Since Week 1, the Bears have signed four to their practice squad, most recently former Dallas Cowboy Josh Butler, who was plucked from the practice squad of the CFL’s Ottawa Redblacks after spending only four days with them. — Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026

Stars Nicholas Galitzine, Bill Skarsgard, Raymond Nicholson and Tom Francis as college football stars plucked from the height of their sports careers and into Marine training and the Pacific theater. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 1 Nov. 2026