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
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Recent Examples of pluck
Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2025
The opening acoustic guitar plucks get strong low-mid resonance to sound nice and big, while the higher frequencies receive enough attention to convey string texture.
—PC Magazine, 16 June 2025
Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 10 Feb. 2026
Women generally receive fewer advanced therapies for PE, like thrombectomy (a procedure to pluck out a clot), and end up with more bleeding complications and a higher rate of lingering issues, like clumps of scar tissue in arteries that can increase blood pressure.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pluck
Noun
The judge relented in the face of his daughter’s determination, perhaps more than a little proud of her patriotic pluck.
—Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2025
The opening acoustic guitar plucks get strong low-mid resonance to sound nice and big, while the higher frequencies receive enough attention to convey string texture.
—PC Magazine, 16 June 2025
Verb
This is ideal for decades of sliding across the ice, because bigger mineral grains are more likely to get plucked out by the ice, leaving holes in the surface that could cause unpredictable behavior.
—Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 10 Feb. 2026
Women generally receive fewer advanced therapies for PE, like thrombectomy (a procedure to pluck out a clot), and end up with more bleeding complications and a higher rate of lingering issues, like clumps of scar tissue in arteries that can increase blood pressure.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pluck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pluck
Noun
-
Influence That Extends Beyond Fashion LISA’s cultural pull isn’t theoretical.—
Christopher Claxton,
Billboard,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The Texas Jazz Cats will play live music, and there will be a silent auction and a wine pull.—
Travis Pinson,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
It is composed of images revealing impactful events which, in themselves, are rigid blocks of courage for those who film and those who are filmed.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
17 Feb. 2026
-
From his transformative organizing and tireless advocacy in Chicago to his leadership on the national stage, his courage and conviction inspired millions and strengthened the civil rights movement across this nation.—
Elyssa Kaufman,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Its basic ingredients include tequila, lime juice (ideally freshly squeezed), orange liqueur like triple sec, and usually salt on the rim.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Many are no doubt operating with the salary-cap space required to squeeze an extension for McDuffie into their budget.—
Sam McDowell
February 20,
Kansas City Star,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In the seven days leading up to the giant slalom competition, Pinheiro Braathen kept feeling a tug, as if the universe was trying to tell him something.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2026
-
This reaction only happens when a massive population feels the tug of emotion all at the same time.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
For a hardy dinner, serve up a healthy helping of crispy Brussel sprouts alongside a nice piece of salmon over grits or polenta.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
-
For the spring Talladega race weekend, Jack Link’s was one of Legacy’s primary sponsors, compelling Ha to incorporate beef snacks into her menu by crumbling them atop grits.—
Jordan Bianchi,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The loss of Puig, who might be the most irreplaceable player in MLS, will certainly sting.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Further down the supply chain, former Army Ranger Patrick Montgomery, who runs KC Cattle Company, located outside Kansas City, Missouri, has been stung by high prices.—
Bloomberg Wire,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Effectively, this turned the workspace into a yank buffer along with all your documents, and undoing any destructive editing operation thus became merely another cut and paste.—
Cameron Kaiser,
ArsTechnica,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Visitors to China will want to lighten their grip, while folks introducing themselves to Germans should know to stop after one firm downward yank.—
Chris Ciolli,
AFAR Media,
15 July 2025
Noun
-
Alas, the reality of sports demands that true greatness is measured only on the biggest stage, where the physical strength and innate talent gifted to every superior athlete takes a backseat to mental fortitude.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
14 Feb. 2026
-
That probably takes as much strength and fortitude as taking a knee when no one else will.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pluck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pluck. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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