Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

pull

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of pull

1 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 of pull

draw, haul, jerk, pluck, tug, wrench, yank
Words Related to pull

drag, tow

hitch, twitch

grab, snatch
Near Antonyms of pull

heave, shove, thrust
Antonyms of pull

push

2 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 of pull

authority, clout, credit, heft, in, influence, juice [slang], leverage, sway, weight
Words Related to pull

counterinfluence

command, dominance, dominion, mastery, predominance, reign, scepter, sovereignty (also sovranty), supremacy

consequence, eminence, importance, moment

impact, impress, impression, imprint, mark
Near Antonyms of pull

helplessness, impotence, impotency, powerlessness, weakness

3 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 of pull

advantage, better, bulge, catbird seat, drop, edge, high ground, inside track, jump, stead, upper hand, vantage, whip hand
Words Related to pull

allowance, head start, lead, leg up, margin, odds, start

ascendancy (also ascendency), command, dominance, mastery, predominance, superiority, supremacy, transcendence, transcendency

precedence, preference, prerogative, privilege, seniority

break, foothold, opportunity

benefit, blessing, boon, felicity, godsend, manna, windfall
Phrases Synonymous with pull

coign of vantage
Near Antonyms of pull

detriment, stranglehold

disparity, imbalance, inequality, unevenness

disability, failing, impairment, shortcoming

bar, catch, check, clog, crimp, embarrassment, hindrance, hitch, hurdle, impediment, interference, let, manacle, obstacle, obstruction, rub, shackle, stop, trammel

lurch, setback
Antonyms of pull

disadvantage, drawback, handicap, liability, minus, penalty, strike

pull

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of pull

1 to cause to follow by applying steady force on

  • a team of horses pulling a heavy wagon
Synonyms of pull

drag, draw, hale, haul, lug, tow, tug
Words Related to pull

attract

heave, jerk, yank

carry, convey, ferry, move, transport
Near Antonyms of pull

shove, thrust
Antonyms of pull

drive, propel, push

2 to draw out by force or with effort

  • the dentist had to struggle to pull the tooth
Synonyms of pull

corkscrew, extract, prize, pry, root (out), tear (out), uproot, wrest, wring, yank
Words Related to pull

mine, pluck, remove, take (out), withdraw
Near Antonyms of pull

implant, insert, install, instill

cram, jam, ram, stuff, wedge

3 to injure by overuse, misuse, or pressure

  • lift the crate carefully, or youʼll pull a muscle
Synonyms of pull

rack, strain, stretch, wrench
Words Related to pull

fray, tax, weaken

damage, harm, hurt, impair, wound

batter, bruise, tear

cripple, lame, mangle, mutilate

Learn More about pull

  1. See words that rhyme with pull Dictionary: Definition of pull Medical Dictionary: Definition of pull Spanish Central: Translation of pull Nglish: Translation of pull for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of pull for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pull

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up pull? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

exculpate

to clear from alleged fault or guilt

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. gaslight It is a word, though.

  2. invasion CNN reporter questions President.

  3. relevancy Ariana Grande slams ex-fiancé.

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games