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
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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
Alyssa Brandt, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
On the Ann Demeulemeester runway line-up from which Lipa’s jacket was plucked, the military uniform piece was styled with a diaphanous cream slip dress and the same combat boots.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 23 Jan. 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
Or plucking Tater Tots straight off the baking sheet and then wiping your hands on your pants.
—Alyssa Brandt, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
On the Ann Demeulemeester runway line-up from which Lipa’s jacket was plucked, the military uniform piece was styled with a diaphanous cream slip dress and the same combat boots.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pluck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pluck
Noun
-
These slim work pants with a pull-on waistband and front patch pockets are a stylish way to try the colorful trend.—
Jamie Allison Sanders,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Expectations are that Shelter will have a higher walk-in crowd compared to Iron Lung, whose pull is largely fan-driven.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Defense of humanity requires courage, moral clarity and our unwavering action.—
Bernard Cherkasov,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
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And some poor choices have not diminished the status of the Norwegian Nobel Committee as the international arbiter of moral courage.—
Sean Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Pull upward, squeezing the lat muscle in your upper back at the top.—
Will Stone,
NPR,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Pour salt onto the stain, then squeeze lemon juice over top.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Even as home priorities tug, warmth and patience keep everyone on your side through this shift.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Available in eight shades, the lip liners are formulated with hyaluronic filling spheres for a tug-free glide, coconut and jojoba oil blend for lightweight nourishment, and carnauba and candelilla wax blend to help create precise, seamless lines.—
Kathryn Hopkins,
Footwear News,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Other popular entrees include shrimp and grits made with Parmesan stone-ground grits, Andouille sausage, sweet peppers, and a garlic cream sauce, as well as Gulf red snapper, sesame chicken tenders, and cast-iron salmon.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
31 Jan. 2026
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Powered by twin sisters Ryley and Kayleigh McCarthy, Woburn possessed the poise and grit necessary to elevate their play late in the game.—
Justin Barrasso,
Boston Herald,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Grejo sank scowling back into his chair as though stung by Adi’s answer.—
Jonathan Miles,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Ten inches of snow and freeze-your-assets-off temperatures stung Broadway over the weekend, forcing cancellations and box office drops for some shows by the hundreds of thousands of dollars.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
27 Jan. 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
-
As far as mental fortitude, Penix is the definition of it.—
DJ Siddiqi,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The person who has the fortitude to overcome multiple physical and mental challenges wins bragging rights, plus a hefty cash prize of $1 million.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pluck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pluck. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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