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

But for guests seeking deeper immersion in nature, the wildflower garden with more than 200 plant species looks like it was plucked straight from a fairy tale. — Brian Cicioni, Travel + Leisure, 1 Sep. 2026

The Muir swivel chair in oxblood velvet feels plucked out of a Hollywood Regency–style boutique hotel lobby. — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 27 Aug. 2026