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
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Recent Examples of pull
ABC News, 21 Sep. 2025
They’re designed in a soft, stretchy jersey with a pull-on silhouette and mid-rise waistband.
—Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2025
Robert Lea, Space.com, 12 Sep. 2025
These kumbaya platitudes feel out of place when battered and bloody boys are dropping like flies, but that works to the film’s advantage, laying the groundwork for the final rug-pull.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pull
Verb
Trump suggests regulators pull networks off the airwaves over critical coverage.
—ABC News, 21 Sep. 2025
They’re designed in a soft, stretchy jersey with a pull-on silhouette and mid-rise waistband.
—Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2025
Noun
These black holes are born when massive stars reach the end of their nuclear fuel and can no longer support themselves against their own inward gravitational pull.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 12 Sep. 2025
These kumbaya platitudes feel out of place when battered and bloody boys are dropping like flies, but that works to the film’s advantage, laying the groundwork for the final rug-pull.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pull
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pull
Verb
-
There were no pianos or love seats to haul backward up several flights of stairs, but there were plenty of boxes, clothes, books, backpacks, monitors and mini refrigerators.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
17 Sep. 2025
-
The replica Mercedes got purchased and hauled to Indiana.—
Laura Lane,
USA Today,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Crystal Palace are now 17 games unbeaten in all competitions after Saturday’s 2-1 win at West Ham United, a sequence that stretches back to April and includes Wembley wins over Manchester City in last season’s FA Cup final and Liverpool, on penalties, in this year’s Community Shield.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
21 Sep. 2025
-
Police tape stretching across a road in front of a crime scene.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The quasi-moon is expected to remain in its current near-Earth orbit for about another 60 years before the gravitational tug of the sun pulls it back into a horseshoe orbit.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
16 Sep. 2025
-
This pulling motion tugs on artificial bones, creating movements similar to how the human body works.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The Queen’s Universal Appeal Marie Antoinette was a fashion icon in her own right, a precursor to modern celebrities, and her influence has had a lasting impact on the arts as a whole.—
Laia Farran Graves,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
-
The examination of the influences has turned into a cultural cornerstone.—
Chase Hunter,
Mercury News,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
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At stake is the Supporters’ Shield for the league’s best overall record, home-field advantage in the playoffs and a berth in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Sep. 2025
-
All right, maybe not everything, but investors have been blessed with an abundance of advantages and good fundamental fortune, along with the policy help the market both hoped for and expected.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Any resulting court case within the Defense Department's own legal system could result in counter lawsuits, which could drag on for months.—
Anne Flaherty,
ABC News,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Need to know Nvidia probe drags on.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
By Wednesday, Kimmel’s bosses at ABC—owned by Disney—decided to yank him without a definite return date.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Former Cincinnati Reds star Zack Cozart on Wednesday cheered Disney’s decision to yank comedian Jimmy Kimmel off the air after controversial comments about Charlie Kirk’s assassination.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
My actions have hurt innocent people.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Too many reminders can come across as pushy and hurt your chances.—
Sho Dewan,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pull.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pull. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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