1
2
as in to pry
to draw out by force or with effort
the dentist had to struggle to pull the tooth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in tug
the act or an instance of applying force on something so that it moves in the direction of the force
I gave the door such a pull that when it suddenly opened, I nearly fell backwards
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in influence
the power to direct the thinking or behavior of others usually indirectly
their lawyer supposedly has a lot of pull with the administration in Washington
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in advantage
the more favorable condition or position in a competition
a political candidate with all of the pull that comes with a vast fortune and famous surname
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of pull
Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 3 Feb. 2023
As ghosts, fate and the sheer power of true love pull Nicholas and Isabel together, so too does life threaten to tear them apart.
—Alex Ritman, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Jan. 2023
Laura Poppick, Rolling Stone, 30 June 2025
These hanging pieces resist the pull of gravity and tradition alike.
—Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pull
Verb
During the event, Riley wore black boots, a black dress, held a black and gold bag, and rocked a pair of massive gold hoops to pull it all together.
—Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 3 Feb. 2023
As ghosts, fate and the sheer power of true love pull Nicholas and Isabel together, so too does life threaten to tear them apart.
—Alex Ritman, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Jan. 2023
Noun
Two atoms of oxygen bound together as oxygen gas have a pull similarly as strong as a single atom on its own.
—Laura Poppick, Rolling Stone, 30 June 2025
These hanging pieces resist the pull of gravity and tradition alike.
—Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pull
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pull
Verb
-
Its employees pick up furniture in its delivery vans and use a proprietary network of carriers to bring it to customers, giving it an edge over platforms where buyers need to haul furniture from the sellers’ homes.—
Elaine Pofeldt,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
-
You’re already loaded down with beach bags, umbrellas, coolers, sand toys, and more—and hauling all of that across the sand is notoriously difficult.—
Melanie Fincher,
Southern Living,
12 July 2025
Verb
-
In June, the average job search stretched to 23 weeks, or nearly six months.—
Julia Korn,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
-
North of the Arctic Circle, the seven main islands stretch across more than 100 miles of wild, pristine landscape.—
Phil Thomas,
Travel + Leisure,
15 July 2025
Noun
-
Their ordeal tugs at every family that ever dropped a kiddo off with bug spray, stamped envelopes and hope.—
Bill Weir,
CNN Money,
14 July 2025
-
The tug of war over deportations reflects a broader shift in U.S. immigration policy, where enforcement is increasingly intersecting with international diplomacy.—
Antonio Maria Delgado
July 11,
Miami Herald,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
Those descriptors are accurate enough, as the band themselves have been upfront and proud about their influences: Lucinda Williams, Fleetwood Mac, Neil Young, Bill Callahan, the Beatles.—
Leah Lu,
Rolling Stone,
15 July 2025
-
Palace had argued that Textor does not have decisive influence at the club because his investment in Palace only entitles him to the same 25% voting rights held by fellow co-owners Steve Parish, David Blitzer and Josh Harris.—
Robert Olsen,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Noun
-
With the advantage of a year in the NBA in his favor, Buzelis showed a much higher ability to handle the ball in traffic.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
12 July 2025
-
Analysis by German football correspondent Sebastian Stafford-Bloor Tillman has some advantages.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
12 July 2025
Verb
-
That’s good for everyone, even expat journalists dragging their kids along to cover a new story.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
11 July 2025
-
The plucky little superdog drags Superman to the Fortress of Solitude, where he is treated by a posse of robots.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
Rivera fired his Taser at Feliz, then got into the car on the passenger’s side and threatened to shoot Rivera as a physical struggle ensued, according to body camera footage, as another officer attempted to yank Feliz out of the vehicle.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
11 July 2025
-
Squirrels love to yank new plants out of the ground.—
Paul Cappiello,
The Courier-Journal,
11 July 2025
Verb
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In response to fraying ties with Washington, Brasília has sought closer relations with Beijing, a move that could hurt Lula’s popularity further: 75% of Brazilians distrust China, a recent poll showed.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
8 July 2025
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What’s going to hurt us probably is the property tax situation.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pull.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pull. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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