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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pulling off
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pulling off
Verb
-
While fulfilling this assignment, Schiaparelli meets Paul Poiret, who would become a mentor of sorts and shower her with clothing.—
Laird Borrelli-Persson,
Vogue,
28 Mar. 2026
-
For Bomm, who was a dialysis nurse helping critically ill patients for more than 30 years, working with living donors like Andrea is particularly fulfilling.—
Lisa Hughes,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Hail Mary is also performing ahead of expectations overseas, where sci-fi is a notoriously tough genre to sell in certain European countries, as well as key regions in Latin America and Asia.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The father handed the unresponsive child to the officer, who began performing the Heimlich maneuver, according to DHS.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Chef Alfred Portale leads the kitchen, executing a menu packed with unforgettable dishes.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Alphabet, too, was left for dead by the Street on fears that management wasn't executing and the company's AI strategy wasn't panning out to the point the were being overtaken by others.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That has kept most stars from achieving crossover appeal.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Churchgoers in the 2000s may remember a time when small groups met up for Ramsey’s Financial Peace University in hopes of achieving a debt-free life.—
Bracey Harris,
NBC news,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Minutes after accomplishing this, both spacecraft started tumbling uncontrollably.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Best of luck accomplishing your goals today and, of course, do keep in touch.—
Ed Silverman,
STAT,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The letter was submitted in a federal court case stemming from a lawsuit by advocacy groups challenging ICE's practice of carrying out arrests inside immigration courts, which are run by the Justice Department.—
Jacob Rosen,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Guardsmen are also carrying out civic duties like picking up trash, tending to landscaping and scrubbing graffiti.—
Steven Beynon,
ABC News,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In doing so, a supreme intelligence began to emerge.—
Meghan Palmer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Instead, Hall put on late-night shows in the basement of his home and became a popular child magician, earning money by doing his routine at ritzy parties and travelling to magic conventions.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The guard’s eyes widened when presented with the concept that the Bulls technically still had a shot at making the playoffs, at least for another game.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The Education Department's notices to borrowers beginning Friday will direct them to enroll in a plan and resume making payments as soon as this summer.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pulling off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pulling%20off. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
