1
as in destroying
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of
a powerful storm pulled down the old fishing shack, which had been immortalized in countless paintings
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in demolishing
to destroy (as a building) completely by knocking down or breaking to pieces
an ugly billboard that was eventually pulled down
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in earning
to receive as return for effort
he's pulling down six figures at that job
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pulling down
Everybody along the defensive line shows up, and the edge players do a nice job of coming in and pulling down running backs from behind before they can be pushed through the pile.
—
Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
In that instance, offensive guard Daniel Brunskill missed on a block of Bills defensive lineman Deone Walker that sped up Tagovailoa’s throw to Jaylen Waddle, which linebacker Terrel Bernard stepped in front of, pulling down a turnover in the game’s final three minutes while Miami trailed 28-21.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
However, where iOS 7 applied a flatter, minimalist effect to windows and icons and their edges, iOS 26 adds a (sometimes frosted) glassy look and a mildly fluid movement to actions such as pulling down menus or long-pressing controls.
—ArsTechnica, 17 Sep. 2025
The Glassdoor report doesn’t dive into that, but FlexJobs tackled the topic in January, finding that nurse practitioner was the top remote side hustle for 2024, pulling down $56 an hour.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2025
An impact player on both sides of the ball from Day 1, the 6-foot-4, 180-pound all-state pick is back for a third varsity letter after reeling in 37 balls for 674 yards on offense and pulling down two more passes for picks on defense.
—Matt Schubert, Denver Post, 18 Aug. 2025
Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
In that instance, offensive guard Daniel Brunskill missed on a block of Bills defensive lineman Deone Walker that sped up Tagovailoa’s throw to Jaylen Waddle, which linebacker Terrel Bernard stepped in front of, pulling down a turnover in the game’s final three minutes while Miami trailed 28-21.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
However, where iOS 7 applied a flatter, minimalist effect to windows and icons and their edges, iOS 26 adds a (sometimes frosted) glassy look and a mildly fluid movement to actions such as pulling down menus or long-pressing controls.
—ArsTechnica, 17 Sep. 2025
The Glassdoor report doesn’t dive into that, but FlexJobs tackled the topic in January, finding that nurse practitioner was the top remote side hustle for 2024, pulling down $56 an hour.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2025
An impact player on both sides of the ball from Day 1, the 6-foot-4, 180-pound all-state pick is back for a third varsity letter after reeling in 37 balls for 674 yards on offense and pulling down two more passes for picks on defense.
—Matt Schubert, Denver Post, 18 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pulling down
Verb
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Since then, the Internet has gone about its immemorial business of destroying all incumbent forms of media; not content with vampirizing print, the digital space began sucking the life from pay-TV a dozen years ago.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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Critics say returning the company without meaningful payment undercuts accountability and the compensatory purpose of the judgments; others note trustees and Judge Lopez have to avoid value-destroying, prolonged processes.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Tens of thousands have been fleeing the city, which has seen Israel demolishing high-rise buildings.—
Caitlin Danaher,
CNN Money,
20 Sep. 2025
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Preservationists stepped in to keep the company from its standard practice of demolishing a vacant building.—
Cheryl V. Jackson,
IndyStar,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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More recent parody country music songs have pushed Hays to the top of the Spotify and Apple Music charts, earning her in all nearly five million followers and over three billion social media platform views.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Oct. 2025
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Elsewhere, actors like Anne Hathaway have admitted to struggling career-wise after earning the ire of social media.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Or pursue the rancid criminal element across the galaxy as a bounty hunter, making your fortune by ruining bad guys' lives.—
Alan Bradley,
Space.com,
7 Oct. 2025
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So much so that the official Carol Burnett Show YouTube channel has several 15-minute salutes of Burnett, Harvey Korman, Tim Conway, Vicki Lawrence, and others busting up and ruining the bit.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Jaclyn Penn was disappointed to see the Leawood City Council vote in favor of tearing down the old City Hall building.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
3 Oct. 2025
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Except the organization did not react by tearing down its roster or scouring the market for improvements, the evaluator explained.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Coaches, both winning and losing, point it out every night in pregame and postgame media.—
Kevin Dotson,
CNN Money,
4 Oct. 2025
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Grammy Award-winning artist Doja Cat is slated to join the Puerto Rican rapper as the music guest.—
Kaycee Sloan,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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For leftovers, there’s a set of glass Pyrex containers that can be placed in the freezer or microwave with no worries about shattering.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
5 Oct. 2025
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So to decide whether to marry or move on for good, one person issues an ultimatum, kicking off a potentially relationship-shattering experiment.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The construction of museums to house artifacts offers an opportunity for African countries to bolster their cultural tourism offering for international and domestic visitors, potentially reaping economic benefits.—
Alexis Akwagyiram,
semafor.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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Many powers are reaping the benefits.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pulling down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pulling%20down. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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