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
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
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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani signed an executive order Friday establishing the first-ever Mayor's Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs, fulfilling a campaign promise.—
Andrew Ramos,
CBS News,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Two years into their reign, the couple have started their first state trip to Australia at the Red Centre, a sacred place in the country, fulfilling a rite of passage that is already a classic in the iconography of royal families.—
Diego Parrado,
Vanity Fair,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The ceremony kicked off with Alana Haim (of the band Haim and also a co-star on the movie with Zendaya) performing a DJ set.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Egyptian immigrants Azzam and Samra Ahmed are padding their savings by performing for bots in their one-bedroom apartment in Pasadena.—
NILESH CHRISTOPHER LOS ANGELES TIMES,
Arkansas Online,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The scholars argue that decisions involving life and human dignity must remain in human hands, warning that AI systems capable of selecting and executing targets fundamentally alter the moral nature of war.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
19 Mar. 2026
-
But there must be a heavy price for the regime for executing young people like this.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The security of Jewish self-determination is interlinked and intertwined with achieving Palestinian self-determination.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Giddey last week surpassed Scottie Pippen with his 16th triple-double with the Bulls, achieving that milestone in only 110 games.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Redick added that Ayton is accomplishing the small tasks too, becoming a vital part of the Lakers’ pick-and-roll game again with his screens – helping create for Doncic and Reaves, and receiving for close-range looks as well.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
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Auriemma described it as one of the most emotional moments of his career, years of struggle and disappointment cumulating in the catharsis of finally accomplishing that ultimate goal.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Guardsmen are also carrying out civic duties like picking up trash, tending to landscaping and scrubbing graffiti.—
Steven Beynon,
ABC News,
20 Mar. 2026
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Shoshani also claimed Hezbollah was attempting to send operatives toward Lebanon's border with Israel, and that Israel would continue carrying out strikes for as long as necessary to eliminate the threat.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
One way of doing this is to not give them building permits.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
-
How Often To Clean Baseboards Stein recommends dusting your baseboards monthly and then doing a deeper clean with vinegar every 3-4 months.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The defense did not call witnesses during the trial, instead focusing on making their case through cross-examination of prosecution witnesses and closing arguments.—
Emerson Clarridge
Updated March 13,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Mar. 2026
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But Malema was convicted of hate speech for making threats last year, and his party won less than ten per cent of the national vote in the most recent South African election—hardly a ringing endorsement of his ideas.—
Boyce Upholt,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pulling off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pulling%20off. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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