Synonyms of pulling

pulling

verb

present participle of pull

1

as in hauling

to cause to follow by applying steady force on

a team of horses pulling a heavy wagon

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hauling
• dragging
• tugging
• towing
• drawing
• lugging
• carrying
• heaving
• yanking
• attracting
• haling
• moving
• jerking
• transporting
• conveying
• ferrying

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pushing
• driving
• propelling
• shoving
• thrusting

2

as in prying

to draw out by force or with effort

the dentist had to struggle to pull the tooth

Synonyms & Similar Words

• prying
• yanking
• extracting
• plucking
• removing
• uprooting
• tearing (out)
• taking (out)
• wringing
• corkscrewing
• rooting (out)
• wresting
• withdrawing
• prizing
• mining

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inserting
• installing
• instilling
• stuffing
• implanting
• jamming
• wedging
• ramming
• cramming

3

as in stretching

to injure by overuse, misuse, or pressure

lift the crate carefully, or you'll pull a muscle

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stretching
• straining
• damaging
• hurting
• weakening
• bruising
• racking
• wrenching
• tearing
• taxing
• impairing
• battering
• harming
• wounding
• crippling
• fraying
• mutilating
• mangling
• laming

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of pulling

Rescue crews were able to save lives in their response by pulling an elderly woman out of a tree when her house washed away, Green said. — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026

Valencia led off the fourth inning with his sixth home run in 50 career at-bats, pulling the Tigers within a run. — CBS News, 15 Aug. 2026

Unlike a sprawling landscape, where distinct areas can be carved out for gardening, entertaining, and lounging, a compact outdoor space demands more strategic planning, with every square foot pulling double duty. — Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 15 Aug. 2026

This tilt toward Gloria causes the film to lose its way a bit, pulling focus from the more potentially vital mentor-disciple dynamic between Ed and the anxious, navel-gazing Meyers. — Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Local media outlets reported that Taco Bell restaurants in Michigan and nearby states began pulling iceberg lettuce from their menus as early as July 7. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2026

Regardless, failure to achieve promotion last season did not help in a financial climate where Southampton were pulling back support for their women’s team and reducing the number of academy employees. — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026

That said, pulling one off takes a bit more intention than simply slipping it on. — Alyssa Rotunno, InStyle, 10 Aug. 2026

By pulling the air over its surface, the system prevents airflow separation that normally limits conventional sails. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 9 Aug. 2026