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
-
And kids of all ages are putting on their finest clothes, squeezing on their caps, and getting ready to walk across that stage.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
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
-
Added some grit and determination on the back end with Lindgren.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2025
-
But the Francophone descriptor fails to conjure the dust her voice kicks up, the grit and moan that hang in the air after each song.—
Carrie Brownstein,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Now Warning To All iPhone Users Google Pixel’s Unbeatable Upgrade—Bad News For Samsung Being stuck at No. 2 behind Lamar likely stings just a little more than usual for Drake.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
17 Apr. 2025
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But China is also seeking to build tighter relationships in Asia with nations stung by Trump’s tariffs.—
Josh Boak,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 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
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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 6 May. 2025.
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