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
Adriana Lee, WWD, 26 Nov. 2024
The opening acoustic guitar plucks get plenty of low and low-mid resonance, while strong treble response gives a clear, crisp string texture.
—PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024
Andrew Wallenstein, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025
He’s won the lot since being plucked from a Hull City side freshly relegated to the Championship for an initial fee of just £8million (then $10.3m) in the summer of 2017.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pluck
Noun
Taking one of America’s oldest and best-known brands into the future takes more than pluck and drive.
—Adriana Lee, WWD, 26 Nov. 2024
The opening acoustic guitar plucks get plenty of low and low-mid resonance, while strong treble response gives a clear, crisp string texture.
—PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024
Verb
But instead of about 20 performers Lorne Michaels plucked from obscurity, there are about a thousand more cast members just cranking out comedic vignettes on their own.
—Andrew Wallenstein, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025
He’s won the lot since being plucked from a Hull City side freshly relegated to the Championship for an initial fee of just £8million (then $10.3m) in the summer of 2017.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pluck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pluck
Noun
-
Laura arrives there to rebuild her life, but the irresistible pull of quick money and crime immediately draws her back into a troubled past.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
1 May 2025
-
America’s seeming inability to escape the pull of Vietnam’s symbolic weight shifts the focus away from the issues at hand by invoking the distant world of Vietnam-era America in which criticisms of misguided foreign military intervention or prejudiced domestic policies can be safely contained.—
Made by History,
Time,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
His leadership showed compassion, political courage, and moral clarity … qualities our leaders could use today more than ever.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2025
-
By the end, the young girl proudly admired her new earrings, a symbol of overcoming fear and embracing courage.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
For now, the researchers have left the ship in situ, partially covering it with original soil and squeezing wet sponges onto it to preserve moisture.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
30 Apr. 2025
-
The question of whether a modern Phantom can squeeze through the driveway gates remains to be seen.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Duke of Cornwall) watched a team building exercise — tug of war! — and met with young farmers making up the next generation.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
26 Mar. 2025
-
There’s a kind of implicit prayer in this that the withering of today’s Hollywood system is a presage for something better, giving the entire production a painful, nostalgic quality that tugs at your chest even as what unfolds before you is remarkably dumb.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
This week’s crop of new music finds Luke Combs and Bailey Zimmerman pairing up on a hard-charging anthem about grit and determination.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
5 May 2025
-
Montreal’s young core took huge strides this season, and the Canadiens morphed from a team with upside into one that won with a combination of skill and grit.—
Rob Rossi,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
Verb
-
That play — not even a full turnover, mind you — is what stings a full year later.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
-
Malone, who gets Mincemeat’s best song, still looks like a favorite in his category, and Mincemeat did get recognition for its score (written by three of its stars, members of the same comedy troupe), but the lack of enthusiasm elsewhere must sting.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
1 May 2025
Noun
-
Four yanks later, voila: Clayton had pulled free his prize, leaving just a single strand of nylon stuck in the Alamodome rim.—
Brendan Marks,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Each blade has a pull tab at the top of its cartridge; just give it a gentle yank to remove it.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Lately, the federal judiciary has responded with impressive speed and fortitude to Trump’s fusillade of executive orders and other actions.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Though Graham had concerns for how Cooper would be handle the pressure of this style, he was quickly given comfort by the young actor’s fortitude.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
23 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pluck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pluck. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
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