1
as in hauling
to cause to follow by applying steady force on
a team of horses pulling a heavy wagon
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in prying
to draw out by force or with effort
the dentist had to struggle to pull the tooth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stretching
to injure by overuse, misuse, or pressure
lift the crate carefully, or you'll pull a muscle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pulling
Those worries have spilled into financial markets, pulling share prices sharply lower.
—
Alex Veiga, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Someone’s always pulling the knife out or holding the knife.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 8 Mar. 2026
The Wolverines kept battling, pulling Joyce for an extra skater with three minutes left.
—Matt Roy, Boston Herald, 8 Mar. 2026
Formula 1 is now the most popular annual sporting series on the planet, pulling a global audience of 750 million—with its fastest-growing contingent being women ages 16 to 24, who fly across continents to watch the action trackside.
—Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Mar. 2026
Kessler, a Wharton professor and author of the new book Lucky by Design, has spent his career pulling back the curtain on these systems.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2026
Unless, of course, Ole Miss keeps pulling surprises and wins the SEC tournament, which could open the door for Iowa or Michigan to reach the top line if either can win the Big Ten tournament.
—Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 7 Mar. 2026
The Grammy-winning musician, who’s pulling double duty on the late-nighter next week, unexpectedly crashed the Barbie star’s opening monologue — to take notes, of course.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 7 Mar. 2026
Agents are then seen pulling Martinez and his passenger, Joshua Orta, out of the car.
—Armando Garcia, ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026
Alex Veiga, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Someone’s always pulling the knife out or holding the knife.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 8 Mar. 2026
The Wolverines kept battling, pulling Joyce for an extra skater with three minutes left.
—Matt Roy, Boston Herald, 8 Mar. 2026
Formula 1 is now the most popular annual sporting series on the planet, pulling a global audience of 750 million—with its fastest-growing contingent being women ages 16 to 24, who fly across continents to watch the action trackside.
—Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Mar. 2026
Kessler, a Wharton professor and author of the new book Lucky by Design, has spent his career pulling back the curtain on these systems.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2026
Unless, of course, Ole Miss keeps pulling surprises and wins the SEC tournament, which could open the door for Iowa or Michigan to reach the top line if either can win the Big Ten tournament.
—Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 7 Mar. 2026
The Grammy-winning musician, who’s pulling double duty on the late-nighter next week, unexpectedly crashed the Barbie star’s opening monologue — to take notes, of course.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 7 Mar. 2026
Agents are then seen pulling Martinez and his passenger, Joshua Orta, out of the car.
—Armando Garcia, ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pulling
Verb
-
Singh was stopped for inspection at a weigh station while hauling a load of frozen chicken along Interstate 80.—
Simon Hankinson,
Boston Herald,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Clear Creek County Investigators said both the driver and passenger got out of the truck, which was hauling two trailers, and were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.—
Jennifer McRae,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The ceremony was held at the tiny First African Baptist Church in Cumberland Island, Georgia, away from prying eyes and paparazzi.—
Stefania Conrieri,
Vanity Fair,
6 Mar. 2026
-
After being hounded by paparazzi for their entire courtship, the duo managed to pull off a secret wedding, away from prying eyes, on a secluded island in Georgia.—
Claudia Williams,
Architectural Digest,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The two sides have been trading blame in recent days as the shutdown's strains have begun to be felt, with long security lines stretching through airports.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The company maintains transaction logs stretching back nearly two decades.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
His legs felt like anchors dragging across the court.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The war dragging on could also see markets whip back and oil costs continue to soar, especially as the Strait of Hormuz, which carries roughly 20% of the world's oil remains largely impassible.—
Garrett Downs,
CNBC,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The body-camera footage shows Exum yanking the wheel left, toward the Rogue, then right.—
Ruby Cramer,
New Yorker,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Other plaintiffs’ attorneys, however, have called the CEO’s threat of yanking the product a scare tactic.—
Lisa Schencker,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Higher energy costs push inflation higher, straining household budgets and denting the consumer spending that is a main driver of many big economies.—
Alex Veiga,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Trump has hinted at possible action in Cuba, where an ongoing oil blockade is straining Havana’s economy.—
Bloomberg News,
Boston Herald,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
On Friday, the Euphoria stargave fans a glimpse of her ideal cozy date night, tugging down her plunging burgundy bralette while snapping photos on her laptop from her bed.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Creams and balms melt into skin without tugging, while newer powder formulas are silky enough to avoid that chalky, flat look.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
No need to spend another six months extracting and testing cells.—
Ryan Brennan
March 6,
Kansas City Star,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The operation in KwaZulu-Natal province is focused on extracting zircon, rutile, ilmenite, and titanium oxide — critical ingredients in products such as paint, sunscreen, and smartphones.—
Yinka Adegoke,
semafor.com,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pulling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pulling. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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