as in squeezing
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of plucking
As with the studio version, the track began with Lifeson plucking out a delicate intro on a nylon-string guitar before blasting into monster electric riffs.
—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
14 June 2026
Vogue’s beauty shopping editor Kiana Murden became a devotee after plucking it from the beauty closet and using it religiously.
—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
10 June 2026
Repeatedly plucking off leaves is simpler than using boiling water.
—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 June 2026
No plucking figures from the sky.
—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
The only thing that prevented a shutout was Ross Colton plucking in a rebound off Brent Burns’ sniper off Hart’s chest.
—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
23 May 2026
The Lightning historically have done a tremendous job plucking NHL talent from the middle rounds of the draft.
—
Eduardo Encina,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 May 2026
Which is why Hailey Bieber’s bright white, electric G-Wagon is parked just feet away from the office bullpen, where 20-something staffers of the full-service production company are plucking away at their computers.
—
Lucy Feldman,
Time,
6 May 2026
Brawley hires football coach After a months-long search, Brawley High School has hired a football coach, plucking Rick Stewart away from Calipatria.
—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
14 June 2026
Vogue’s beauty shopping editor Kiana Murden became a devotee after plucking it from the beauty closet and using it religiously.
—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
10 June 2026
Repeatedly plucking off leaves is simpler than using boiling water.
—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 June 2026
No plucking figures from the sky.
—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
The only thing that prevented a shutout was Ross Colton plucking in a rebound off Brent Burns’ sniper off Hart’s chest.
—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
23 May 2026
The Lightning historically have done a tremendous job plucking NHL talent from the middle rounds of the draft.
—
Eduardo Encina,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 May 2026
Which is why Hailey Bieber’s bright white, electric G-Wagon is parked just feet away from the office bullpen, where 20-something staffers of the full-service production company are plucking away at their computers.
—
Lucy Feldman,
Time,
6 May 2026
Brawley hires football coach After a months-long search, Brawley High School has hired a football coach, plucking Rick Stewart away from Calipatria.
—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plucking
Verb
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Of course, attempts to get more revenue out of taxpayers would carry political risks, but voters have been open to squeezing the wealthy.
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Coach Spencer Carbery has done a masterful job of both squeezing what’s left out of the franchise’s best-ever player — Ovechkin led the Caps in both goals (32) and points (64) in 2025-26 — while simultaneously masking the deficiencies that come with age.
Verb
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Former Kansas guard Kevin McCullar wore goggles in the New York Knicks locker room to protect his eyes from stinging during a champagne-spraying celebration after NY’s 94-90 NBA title-clinching victory over San Antonio on June 13 in Texas.
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Pets who have an encounter with stinging caterpillars will need a vet visit ASAP.
Verb
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Langford was injured during Friday’s game after hustling on a double.
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Letting go of the idea that success requires hustling at all costs — and replacing it with goals that feel attainable — can help founders shift toward a more sustainable approach, one where progress doesn't come at the cost of their well-being.
Verb
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Either way, Angela’s slip is definitely showing in terms of behind-the-scenes messiness (seriously, enough is enough with the cheating stories!
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Everybody says Democrats are cheating!
Verb
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Working with 5 to 6 pieces at a time, remove fish from batter, allowing excess to drip back into bowl, and add to hot oil, briefly dragging fish along surface of oil to prevent sticking.
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Many Venezuelan news reports have avoided politically delicate questions related to the earthquake, such as the widespread collapse of buildings, sticking instead to safer stories about heroic rescues.
Verb
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And while the titular ambulance chaser naturally holds court for six seasons (beating Breaking Bad by one), equally excellent turns by Jonathan Banks and Rhea Seehorn ensure this multi-award-winning series works as both the perfect prequel and a bingeable standalone drama.
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White won by a 2-point margin, beating Shaikh by just under 400 votes.
Verb
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The breeze was screwing with the sound system, and the temperature dropped abruptly.
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America’s favorite sport is not football, or soccer, but screwing over sports fans, which is why FIFA should hold its World Cup in the United States permanently.
Verb
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Called up Thursday after signing as a free agent in April after recovering from March 2025 shoulder surgery, Grove made a memorable Rays debut — and was awarded the win for doing so.
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The Orioles aren't reinventing the wheel by doing that.
Cite this Entry
“Plucking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plucking. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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