Thesaurus results for PLUCKING

plucking

verb

present participle of pluck

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of plucking That rings especially true in the garden, where hands have dug through the earth for centuries, harvesting vegetables and plucking beautiful blossoms. — Shagun Khare, Martha Stewart, 7 July 2026 There is no longer much question as to whether Platner is suitable for public office, and even less question as to whether plucking him from political obscurity made any sense. — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 6 July 2026 Gardening, floral arranging, and plucking dirt from fresh herbs and veggies can be messy projects. — Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for plucking

Verb

The same rules reshaping the car are squeezing the independent aftermarket out of the picture.

— Sarwant Singh, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Energy prices soared, squeezing Americans already frustrated by the high cost of living.

— Paul Wiseman, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

Definition of squeezing

Verb

In the Mark Dolan Show interview and in a stinging essay for the Daily Mail, Griffiths accused the king’s son of making false allegations against her.

— Martha Ross, Mercury News, 9 July 2026
Significant stinging insect infestations like wasps and carpenter bees may also require a specialized plan that isn’t included in your general pest control service.

— Alora Bopray, USA Today, 1 July 2026

Definition of stinging

Verb

Langford was injured during Friday’s game after hustling on a double.

— Cal Phillips June 29, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 June 2026
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.

— Holly Eve, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026

Definition of hustling

Verb

Rather than being the abusive, manipulative and ultimately homicidal husband that prosecutors alleged, Sabatini described Millete as a tragic figure who was being emotionally and psychologically abused and gaslit by his cheating wife.

— Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2026
After getting caught cheating during a crew battle by using members from other gaming crews, I was blacklisted by the 3DS community for a couple of months.

— Kenneth Okeke, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 July 2026

Definition of cheating

Verb

Switzerland topped Group B ahead of co-host Canada after beating Les Rouges 2-1 in its final group game, which came after an emphatic 4-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina and a 1-1 draw against Qatar in its opener.

— Ben Church, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
The host won the opening match by an innings and 217 runs and needs only a draw to claim its first series win in the World Test Championship since beating Bangladesh in the Caribbean in 2022.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 July 2026

Definition of beating

Verb

The breeze was screwing with the sound system, and the temperature dropped abruptly.

— Lily Goldberg, Pitchfork, 26 June 2026
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.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 June 2026

Definition of screwing

Verb

Where looksmaxxing or sleepmaxxing push you to squeeze more results out of a habit, slowmaxxing asks you to squeeze more meaning out of doing less.

— Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026
Crews doing the shoring work have to take precautions because their job is inherently risky, according to structural engineer Matthew Roblez.

— Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 9 July 2026

Definition of doing

Browse Nearby Words

pluckiness

plucking

plucks

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“Plucking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plucking. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of plucking

verb

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