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
Valerie Mesa, People.com, 9 June 2025
When any object gets close to a supermassive black hole, it's typically ensnared in a powerful gravitational pull.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 6 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
There’s a pull to transform your professional image and reconsider your role in the world.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 9 June 2025
When any object gets close to a supermassive black hole, it's typically ensnared in a powerful gravitational pull.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pull
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pull
Verb
-
Los Angeles — An elaborate scheme to stalk and rob truck drivers hauling millions of dollars of jewelry and other high-end merchandise has resulted in criminal charges against seven alleged co-conspirators, the Justice Department announced.—
Josh Campbell,
CNN Money,
18 June 2025
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However, according to Hoopes, when the feds were in the middle of hauling witnesses to the events in question before a grand jury and Jellinek was in their crosshairs, he was offered immunity by prosecutors looking for testimony to support an indictment.—
Matthew Medsger,
Boston Herald,
17 June 2025
Verb
-
Closing arguments are set to begin this week, on Thursday, and stretch into the following day.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
24 June 2025
-
The Dade-Collier Airport is located within the Everglades, a subtropical wetland ecosystem stretching across two million acres of central and south Florida.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
24 June 2025
Noun
-
Give one of the center leaves of the pineapple a firm but gentle tug.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
22 June 2025
-
Ripe tomatoes should easily come off the plant with a gentle tug.—
Sheryl Geerts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 June 2025
Noun
-
Sports betting operators have no influence over newsroom coverage.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 June 2025
-
However, she was found guilty of operating under the influence.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
People.com,
21 June 2025
Noun
-
Hailing from Badalona, Spain, with extensive international coaching experience, Fernandez is well-equipped to identify and develop global talent, giving the franchise a significant scouting advantage in that regard.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
18 June 2025
-
In contrast, a great culture can be a strategic advantage.—
Chris Williams,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
Verb
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But by the late 1970s, as negotiations over a treaty dragged on, Congress grew receptive to industry lobbyists seeking legislation that would protect their investments in mining sites beyond U.S. maritime jurisdiction.—
Time,
Time,
17 June 2025
-
What were the final few days like? Exhausting and dragging on.—
Kate Aurthur,
Variety,
17 June 2025
Verb
-
The administration previously yanked, and then reinstated, visas at an array of universities for more than 4,700 students this spring.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
19 June 2025
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Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images The National Institutes of Health, which is under Kennedy's command, has stopped accepting submissions for its flagship journal on environmental health and yanked research grants.—
Will Stone,
NPR,
18 June 2025
Verb
-
Clark got hurt at the end of that game and hasn’t suited up since.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
14 June 2025
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So giving Luis Campusano a start — finally — can’t hurt a whole lot.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pull.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pull. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.
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