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
The Miami quarterback was minutes removed from throwing the game-sealing interception that ended UM’s chances of pulling off a comeback to win their sixth national title.
—
Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 21 Jan. 2026
So who and what is Palm Tree Crew, the mysterious entity that’s pulling off the events Billy McFarland could only dream of?
—Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 21 Jan. 2026
From an early age, her big sister was teaching her all about pulling off a matching moment.
—Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026
Mastering proportions, for one, is key to pulling off a loose-fitting look without getting lost in it.
—Sri Rain Stewart, InStyle, 13 Jan. 2026
Instead of pulling off a strong road win to lift the team’s spirits, the Rockets saw another close game slip away on the road as the questions about this group’s ability to execute during pivotal moments are only getting louder by the day.
—William Guillory, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, Morgan's hopes of pulling off her surprise for Uncle Tommy get sacked.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
Louisville should climb into the rankings after pulling off the upset.
—Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
The best curvy denim skirts The right fit is key to pulling off a denim skirt of any variety, but finding the right one requires time and research.
—Avery Matera, Glamour, 10 Oct. 2025
Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 21 Jan. 2026
So who and what is Palm Tree Crew, the mysterious entity that’s pulling off the events Billy McFarland could only dream of?
—Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 21 Jan. 2026
From an early age, her big sister was teaching her all about pulling off a matching moment.
—Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026
Mastering proportions, for one, is key to pulling off a loose-fitting look without getting lost in it.
—Sri Rain Stewart, InStyle, 13 Jan. 2026
Instead of pulling off a strong road win to lift the team’s spirits, the Rockets saw another close game slip away on the road as the questions about this group’s ability to execute during pivotal moments are only getting louder by the day.
—William Guillory, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, Morgan's hopes of pulling off her surprise for Uncle Tommy get sacked.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
Louisville should climb into the rankings after pulling off the upset.
—Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
The best curvy denim skirts The right fit is key to pulling off a denim skirt of any variety, but finding the right one requires time and research.
—Avery Matera, Glamour, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pulling off
Verb
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But critics note that many signatories have moved slowly in fulfilling those commitments.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
6 Feb. 2026
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In addressing the immediate needs, Lando wants to make the bureau a more welcoming place to attract and retain officers for the long term, fulfilling his vision for the future.—
Andy Sheehan,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Who is performing in Turning Point USA's The All-American Halftime Show?—
Maria Francis,
Oklahoman,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Bad Bunny will be performing at halftime, but who is singing the national anthem?—
Marina Johnson,
IndyStar,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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OpenAI is now offering agents that are more about automating workflows—logging into applications, executing tasks, and managing tasks without much human hand-holding.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
5 Feb. 2026
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Wednesday’s cuts are the culmination of years of difficult industry-wide headwinds, damaging ownership decisions, leadership mismanagement, and turnover that kept the Post from developing and executing goals.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Pfizer also plans to start 10 phase three studies on the injection, with the goal of achieving the first of several potential approvals in 2028.—
Annika Kim Constantino,
CNBC,
6 Feb. 2026
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Fixtures that remind us of hotel stays—like blackout curtains, upholstered bed frames, and luxury bedding—can be shortcuts to achieving more serene sleep.—
Kelly Dawson,
Architectural Digest,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Rebuilding the defensive line was a must, and landing Osunsanmi, his K-State teammate, Chiddi Obiazor, and Notre Dame defensive lineman Joshua Burnham went a long way in accomplishing that.—
Sam Khan Jr,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
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Absent a path toward accomplishing dramatic change and making sure that ICE and DHS are conducting themselves like every other law enforcement agency in the country, then Republicans are going to cause another government shutdown.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Last week, the topic took center stage again when Mehmet Oz, the administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, posted a video accusing Armenian crime groups of carrying out widespread hospice fraud in Los Angeles.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
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As Operation Metro Surge got into full swing earlier this month, more than 3,000 federal immigration agents flooded into Minnesota, carrying out sweeping detentions and facing off with protesters in tense confrontations.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Minneapolis police chief says the difference between their policies on dealing with protesters and what federal officers have been doing is immediately clear.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
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For Jones, doing his part meant observing, which led to at least four officers jumping on his back, handcuffing him, crushing his legs, and grinding his forehead into the frozen concrete.—
Evan Minsker,
Rolling Stone,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Shares of Nvidia climbed at steep pace, making the AI giant the ninth company in the world to reach a $1 trillion valuation in 2023, three decades after its establishment.—
Rosa de Acosta,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
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In much the same way that Michael Jordan’s legacy was set at the Chicago Bulls, not the Washington Wizards, how much would making it to 1,000 goals or winning the Saudi Pro League impact Ronaldo’s own legacy in the game?—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pulling off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pulling%20off. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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