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
Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 14 Feb. 2026
This year, the state farm bureau is projecting more to be pulled, roughly 40,000 acres.
—Carmela Karcher, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2026
Michelle Baricevic, Travel + Leisure, 10 Feb. 2026
More melodic variation might have elevated these more reserved passages; Sutkowski’s pull-no-punches songwriting usually isn’t enough to shoulder the weight on its own.
—Billie Bugara, Pitchfork, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pull
Verb
The gearbox demands care until the oil warms, but the V-8 engine—a derivative of which found its way into the Ferrari F430—responds instantly and pulls eagerly for revs.
—Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 14 Feb. 2026
This year, the state farm bureau is projecting more to be pulled, roughly 40,000 acres.
—Carmela Karcher, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2026
Noun
These four-way stretch SmartWool leggings make a cozy cold-weather choice, as does this insulated Patagonia pull-over.
—Michelle Baricevic, Travel + Leisure, 10 Feb. 2026
More melodic variation might have elevated these more reserved passages; Sutkowski’s pull-no-punches songwriting usually isn’t enough to shoulder the weight on its own.
—Billie Bugara, Pitchfork, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pull
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pull
Verb
-
Thune told reporters last week members could be hauled back in as little as 24 hours if needed.—
Al Weaver,
The Hill,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Days later, officers entered his home and beat him, before hauling him off to jail.—
Cora Engelbrecht,
New Yorker,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Kairat are the easternmost side ever to compete in the Champions League, in a tournament that has stretched the length and breadth of the continent.—
Conor O'Neill,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The home stretches out over 3,200 square feet and includes three bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.—
Kaitlyn Keegan,
Hartford Courant,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In the seven days leading up to the giant slalom competition, Pinheiro Braathen kept feeling a tug, as if the universe was trying to tell him something.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2026
-
This reaction only happens when a massive population feels the tug of emotion all at the same time.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Still, a flurry of moves during the summer window made LAFC among the obvious favorites to compete for the league championship, primarily because Son’s influence made Cherundolo’s defend-and-transition tactics lethal.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Using their financial resources and political influence, opponents worked to sow confusion, cast doubt on the proposal, and stall the bill.—
Shane Strum,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Ebba Andersson tumbled and snapped the ski binding in the second leg, giving Norway the advantage on a day where warm weather caused slushy corners that created havoc in the early stages.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The main challenge is ensuring redistricting is fair, transparent, and based on accurate population data—not drawn to protect incumbents or maximize partisan advantage.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Demanding papers, dragging away dissenters.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Slave catchers could capture them, kidnap them and drag them back South.—
Jesse Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The National Institutes of Health, part of HHS, also yanked dozens of research grants supporting studies of vaccine hesitancy last year.—
Amanda Seitz,
NPR,
13 Feb. 2026
-
No agents of the state will yank you out of a stadium for bopping along to this!—
Alexandra Petri,
The Atlantic,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Finding solutions that allow AI to flourish without hurting consumers is eminently doable.—
Bradley Tusk,
New York Daily News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
His 1984 campaign angered some Democrats who said his ideas were too left-leaning and would hurt the party in the general election.—
Char Adams,
NBC news,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pull.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pull. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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