plugs 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of plug
1
as in fills
to close up so that no empty spaces remain plugged the hole in the wall with putty

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in struggles
to devote serious and sustained effort plugged away at solving the math problem

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in promotes
to provide publicity for the actress is giving lots of interviews to plug her latest movie

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in shoots
to strike with a missile from a gun the drug lord plugged the stool pigeon as a lesson for any others who were tempted to talk

Synonyms & Similar Words

plugs

2 of 2

noun

plural of plug
1
as in cobs

Related Words
2
as in buildups

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3
as in hooks

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Dissimilar Words

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 plugs
Verb
Wilson plugs a creative gap in the Leeds line-up off that inside-right channel. — Aston Villa, New York Times, 13 July 2026 The discovery also plugs a gap in our understanding of Venus's dense atmosphere. — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 13 May 2026 Another distinction is its saddle and seatpost, which form a unit that plugs into a corner of the square motor/battery assembly. — ArsTechnica, 16 Apr. 2026 For older systems, travelers can purchase additional accessories like AirFly, which plugs into the headphone jack and connects to wireless headphones via Bluetooth. — Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2026 Her lending company plugs those sorts of details — student transcripts and internship experiences, for example— into an algorithm that determines the likelihood applicants will complete college, get a job and make enough money to pay back the loan. — James Pollard, Fortune, 28 Nov. 2025 When Jonah plugs his drive into the server, the drones immediately lock onto him. — Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025 The closest Grocery Outlets are in Point Loma and Mira Mesa, so this location plugs a gap for San Diego’s central coastal neighborhoods. — Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Oct. 2025 The tree plugs into a standard outlet and features a 60-foot cord. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 20 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plugs
  1. fills
  2. struggles
  3. promotes
  4. shoots
  5. skates
  6. ads
  7. hooks
  8. packs
Verb
  • Floor-to-ceiling glass walls open to an expansive outdoor terrace where live jazz fills the air on Wednesdays and DJs keep the energy going on Friday and Saturday nights.
    — Martie Bowser, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • There’s a chance that Ben Kindel, who scored 35 points in his rookie campaign in addition to very impressive two-way metrics, breaks out and fills the role well, but that’s a lot to ask out of a 19-year-old sophomore.
    — Harman Dayal, New York Times, 28 July 2026
Definition of fills
Verb
  • Missile salvos and militia attacks have choked key shipping lanes, damaged Saudi oil facilities and driven up global prices even as fragile diplomacy struggles to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and avert escalation.
    — Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
  • The film follows a young man who struggles to balance his mental problems, medication, and drugs with his musical ambitions.
    — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 30 July 2026
Definition of struggles
Verb
  • Prior to ​the ⁠verdict, the Committee to Protect Journalists, an independent non-profit organization that promotes press ⁠freedom ​worldwide, said 29 journalists ​were imprisoned in Russia in connection with their work.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 29 July 2026
  • Between such posts, Wall Street Mav promotes Kalshi betting odds.
    — Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of promotes
Verb
  • Meanwhile, over in London, Selena Gomez shoots the upcoming sixth season of Only Murders in the Building.
    — People Staff, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Watson shoots a 13-under 271 at Muirfield Golf Links at Gullane, Scotland.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026
Definition of shoots
Noun
  • During the summers, skates and workouts would be followed by lunch, street hockey, shooting pucks, golf and then dinner.
    — Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
  • For the dozens of NHL, minor league and college players who make their off-season homes in Minnesota, informal morning skates at various arenas throughout the Twin Cities have been going on for decades.
    — Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 17 July 2026
Definition of skates
Noun
  • Republicans campaigning in swing districts are running ads about healthcare after facing criticism of the cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
    — Rahul Mukherjee, NPR, 31 July 2026
  • The fake ads often offer what appear to be unbeatable deals — capitalizing on people’s desperation.
    — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of ads
Noun
  • The Fire Kit comes with multiple fire blankets, Fire Spray, wall hooks, a safety checklist magnet and alert window decal.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • On Podium, Cheekface dial up both the hooks and the sociopolitical dread, but absurdist humor remains their defense mechanism for a world spiraling out of control.
    — Zach Schonfeld, Pitchfork, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of hooks
Verb
  • While the differences between NYC and PGH are vast, this small city packs a lot more punch that people might think.
    — Tessa Petak, InStyle, 1 Aug. 2026
  • But its owner, Hiro Yonekawa, packs way more into its two rooms, which are full of mostly vintage clothes like mint Burberry trenches (for around $300), graphic tees, men’s dress shirts and women’s tops, hats and handbags.
    — New York Times, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of packs

Browse Nearby Words

plugolas
plugs
plugs (away)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Plugs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plugs. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on plugs

Nglish: Translation of plugs for Spanish Speakers

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