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

Forget pluck, elbow grease and a little old-fashioned hard work. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026

When those practitioners are taken away from patients, our pluck and determination waver. — Mindy Uhrlaub, STAT, 16 Mar. 2026

Verb

According to Anderson, a key part of the Patriots’ winning formula was Brady’s sense that Belichick had plucked him from obscurity. — Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026

Her words, as if plucked from a Sunday morning sermon, speak to the source of her strength. — Nicole Avery Nichols, Freep.com, 11 Sep. 2026