as in fulfilling
to carry through (as a process) to completion
the rebel forces pulled off a surprisingly successful offensive against the better equipped government troops
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Recent Examples of pulling off
Boston is still favored to advance and in Game 3 on the road, but the 76ers will have hope of pulling off the upset of the Eastern Conference favorites.
—
Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Except last season, when Christian McCaffrey started all 19 games and led the NFL in touches while almost pulling off the 1,000-yard rushing/receiving double-double.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
On a recent Thursday morning, cars whizzed over the bridge with several vehicles pulling off on the side of the road to visit Long's doughnut line.
—Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 1 Apr. 2026
In California, the law prevents incumbents from pulling off the kind of underhanded stunt that Garcia and Daines managed.
—Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
Down 23 points at Little Caesars Arena on Saturday, Brooklyn still found a way to beat the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons, pulling off the fifth-largest comeback in franchise history and avoiding a season sweep.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026
There's nothing the couple loves more than pulling off the road to enjoy a local diner or small clam shack.
—Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 26 Feb. 2026
Shenzhen is likened to a vibrant harbor for dreamers, and the hotel is pulling off the feat of becoming a gathering place for tech professionals and financial elites.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Feb. 2026
What’s more American than pulling off a victory after a kick in the teeth?
—Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 25 Feb. 2026
Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Except last season, when Christian McCaffrey started all 19 games and led the NFL in touches while almost pulling off the 1,000-yard rushing/receiving double-double.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
On a recent Thursday morning, cars whizzed over the bridge with several vehicles pulling off on the side of the road to visit Long's doughnut line.
—Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 1 Apr. 2026
In California, the law prevents incumbents from pulling off the kind of underhanded stunt that Garcia and Daines managed.
—Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
Down 23 points at Little Caesars Arena on Saturday, Brooklyn still found a way to beat the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons, pulling off the fifth-largest comeback in franchise history and avoiding a season sweep.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026
There's nothing the couple loves more than pulling off the road to enjoy a local diner or small clam shack.
—Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 26 Feb. 2026
Shenzhen is likened to a vibrant harbor for dreamers, and the hotel is pulling off the feat of becoming a gathering place for tech professionals and financial elites.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Feb. 2026
What’s more American than pulling off a victory after a kick in the teeth?
—Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pulling off
Verb
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Growing your favorite flowers from seed can be an incredibly fulfilling journey, offering the chance to witness the entire life cycle of a plant.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
9 May 2026
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The Valkyries are going into Sunday’s home opener against Phoenix with injuries to Tiffany Hayes and Cecilia Zandalasini – both nursing ailments from Friday’s game – and guard Justė Jocytė still fulfilling her overseas commitment before joining the team.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Prada 2 is, in that sense, the model performing exactly as designed.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
9 May 2026
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Coyle has served as an advisor to many high-performing organizations, including the Navy SEALs, Microsoft, Google, and the Cleveland Guardians.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
9 May 2026
Verb
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They were locked in, executing the finer points while bringing an intensity that put all the pressure on Minnesota to make the right plays in a decisive manner.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
7 May 2026
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Retailers must be targeted in their investments and focus on successfully executing one mission rather than being a jack of all trades.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
7 May 2026
Verb
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If Pan American Airways represented, at its height, victory and suavity, the country achieving a kind of European state of grace, then Spirit was the exact opposite—synonymous with the rowdy and the rude at the heart of the American character.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
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What may sound like a dizzying lifestyle to some to Chiles is par for the course in achieving her loftiest goals across sports and beyond.—
Marquise Francis,
NBC news,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Betty Rae’s Ice Cream opened its 11th location in the Kansas City metro earlier this month in Liberty, crossing the Missouri River for the first time and accomplishing a years-long dream for owner Matt Shatto.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
1 May 2026
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Best of luck accomplishing your goals today and, of course, do keep in touch.—
Ed Silverman,
STAT,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The warnings came despite a ceasefire that has been nominally in place since April 17, although Israel and Hezbollah have been carrying out daily attacks since then.—
Bassem Mroue,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
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As the world watches tensions between Washington and Tehran, Iran has been carrying out the fastest wave of political executions in its recent history.—
Alejandra Jaramillo,
CNN Money,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Our desire to see each other can remain the same but the means of doing so have to be flexible.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2026
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Just a wonderful man that teaches you lessons, teaches you camaraderie, unity, doing things as a unit, that no one’s different.—
Doug Padilla,
Oc Register,
10 May 2026
Verb
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In stark contrast to the teenage social scene once synonymous with malls, many of Lincolnwood’s shoppers seemed to come there alone, making beelines for the still-open Old Navy or Victoria Secret without ever removing their headphones.—
Audrey Pachuta,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
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The Moon in Aquarius moves through your 9th House and trines Venus in your sign, making learning and creative thinking especially fertile.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pulling off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pulling%20off. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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