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
Philip Elliott, Time, 26 Jan. 2026
The Warriors briefly showed some pluck in the first half against the Thunder.
—Ron Kroichick, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 Jan. 2026
Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 15 May 2026
And wow, how juicy that fruit is, plucked straight from the plant and carved by Balala with a machete.
—Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pluck
Noun
Trump is fond of Paxton’s pluck and Hunt’s ambition.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 26 Jan. 2026
The Warriors briefly showed some pluck in the first half against the Thunder.
—Ron Kroichick, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 Jan. 2026
Verb
On screen, that depth is anchored by Williams and Storrie, actors plucked from restaurant-server obscurity.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 15 May 2026
And wow, how juicy that fruit is, plucked straight from the plant and carved by Balala with a machete.
—Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pluck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pluck
Noun
-
By measuring sweat gland activity, the broadcaster hopes to demonstrate the unique pull of high-octane sports and optimize its presentation for maximum engagement in a world of distraction.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
22 May 2026
-
That partly stems from the way McCormack projects the gravitational pull of a man grappling with forces and feelings far beyond his control, which prevent him from seeking help when everything starts to go south.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
Both Judge Lang and Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden applauded the victim’s courage.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
19 May 2026
-
One drink opened the chest, two turned fear into courage’s cheap cousin, three steadied the hand enough to write the future in invisible ink.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
The advice generated for mental health inquiries can attempt to squeeze a round peg into a square hole, simply because that’s the imbalance of the AI.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
-
But the airline was squeezed at the airport because Spirit occupied many of the gates, especially at prime flying hours.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
23 May 2026
Noun
-
What was remarkable about Newcastle was how one tug on the thread caused Nuno’s players to unravel.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
-
Aqua Lares, originally known as Giant I, was built as an icebreaking tug in 1974 by the Dutch shipyard IHC Verschure.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
There might be a fight to escape, but even those few who crawl over rocks and grit and sand to reach terra firma find their surroundings changed.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
All of the classic, comforting flavors of good old shrimp and grits come together in easy, casserole form.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Café receipts keep climbing, and the math is starting to sting.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
20 May 2026
-
The Sacramento Bee gathered information on what kinds of jellyfish you can be found on the coast, whether their sting is harmful to humans and what to do if you get stung.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado,
Sacbee.com,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
No snagging Lower-quality beard combs often have the intolerable tendency to pull, yank or just rip out clumps of facial hair.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Each blade has a pull tab at the top of its cartridge; just give it a gentle yank to remove it.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
What isn’t debatable is that their blend of talent, experience and mental fortitude left them uniquely positioned to thrive under such tense conditions.—
Vincent Z. Mercogliano,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
-
Abbass gives a master class in less-is-more restraint in these scenes, her character’s fortitude severely challenged but unbroken by her years of suffering.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pluck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pluck. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
