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
Laurent Belsie, Christian Science Monitor, 19 May 2025
In Spanish, my grandmother read tales from Las Mil y Una Noches—in English, The Thousand and One Nights—bringing the world beyond Leigh Street, Scheherazade's magical world of Central Asian pluck, heroism and ingenuity, into the life of my mother and her siblings.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
Snip off the flowers, then take them indoors to pluck the petals and seeds.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pluck
Noun
But Belvidere is roaring back because of its own pluck.
—Laurent Belsie, Christian Science Monitor, 19 May 2025
In Spanish, my grandmother read tales from Las Mil y Una Noches—in English, The Thousand and One Nights—bringing the world beyond Leigh Street, Scheherazade's magical world of Central Asian pluck, heroism and ingenuity, into the life of my mother and her siblings.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
Verb
Indeed, as the dog plucked up the courage to jump into the water, the man on the boat appeared to steer off and left the dog alone.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
Snip off the flowers, then take them indoors to pluck the petals and seeds.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pluck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pluck
Noun
-
Band Pull-Aparts Band pull-aparts are a safe and effective way to target the rear delts using a resistance band.—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Somehow both spare and ornate, immersive and voyeuristic, The Silver Book has a pull that can’t be denied.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Harry brought his trademark humor and warmth to the awards, a ceremony honoring seriously ill children who have shown incredible courage, joking and making smiles all around.—
Erin Hill,
People.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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The WellChild Awards, which celebrates the courage of seriously ill children and those who care for them, is sponsored by a charity Harry has long supported.—
Janelle Ash , Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The shakeups are the latest at a time when restaurants are squeezed between a labor shortage, rising food prices and a loss of customers as diners cut back on spending.—
Bud Kennedy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Sep. 2025
-
For now, the three youngest each sleep in their own pack-and-plays squeezed into their parents’ bedroom.—
Jeff Truesdell,
People.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
When the state attorney’s office steps in, the prosecution pushes back, resulting in a legal and political tug of war that thrusts Adnan’s case into chaotic uncertainty.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
3 Sep. 2025
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Several noted that his instinctive tug had likely prevented the pair from colliding with the elk.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Chef’s specialties include cast iron cinnamon rolls and ancho chile ceasar salad, alongside oysters on the half shell and shallot shrimp grits.—
Rai Mincey,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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If the leaves are especially dirty, soak in cold water, gently agitating them to loosen dirt and grit.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This interaction damages skin cells and can trigger irritation, redness, stinging or burning.—
Leslie Baumann,
Miami Herald,
4 Sep. 2025
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Sherry recalls one instance that stung in particular, when a friend pointed out his hair loss at a social gathering.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
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
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Running on a level surface (in supportive shoes—see above!) can serve as plenty a cardio workout without the extra yank on your plantar fascia.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
This document, so often a justification for violence, also contains words of reconciliation, of fortitude and healing.—
Jack Sheehan
September 4,
Literary Hub,
4 Sep. 2025
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This means having the resources to sustain a long problem-solving cycle and, crucially, developing the mental fortitude to persevere.—
William DeCourcy,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pluck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pluck. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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