1
as in hauling
to cause to follow by applying steady force on
a team of horses pulling a heavy wagon
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in prying
to draw out by force or with effort
the dentist had to struggle to pull the tooth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stretching
to injure by overuse, misuse, or pressure
lift the crate carefully, or you'll pull a muscle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pulling
Over and over, the department has used the threat of pulling federal funding to force compliance with new directives and rapid shifts in policy.
—
Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 8 Oct. 2025
After pulling her daughter out of public school, Thompson enrolled Meadow in Fortune Academy and eventually became its director of development.
—Tory Basile, IndyStar, 7 Oct. 2025
Many sellers are now pulling listings.
—Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 7 Oct. 2025
The video shows the Nissan at points pulling alongside the Tahoe and veering into an oncoming lane, with the GMC close behind.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Yang asked her, pulling back a velvet curtain to reveal a plexiglass tray of sod on a white pedestal.
—Charlotte Goddu, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
Ridley Scott, a filmmaker not known for pulling his punches, has issued a withering assessment on the health of Hollywood output right now.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2025
Shepp announced that Veal earned the rare Girl Scout Saving Award, an accolade reserved for monumental acts of bravery; Veal, along with her mother, helped save the life of a Sand City Beach fisherman who lost his footing and collapsed, pulling him ashore.
—Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 30 Sep. 2025
The profile image on the chat features a behind-the-scenes snapshot of Bailey with his on-screen brothers Luke Newton (Colin Bridgerton) and Luke Thompson (Benedict Bridgerton) pulling silly faces.
—Olivia-Anne Cleary, Time, 30 Sep. 2025
Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 8 Oct. 2025
After pulling her daughter out of public school, Thompson enrolled Meadow in Fortune Academy and eventually became its director of development.
—Tory Basile, IndyStar, 7 Oct. 2025
Many sellers are now pulling listings.
—Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 7 Oct. 2025
The video shows the Nissan at points pulling alongside the Tahoe and veering into an oncoming lane, with the GMC close behind.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Yang asked her, pulling back a velvet curtain to reveal a plexiglass tray of sod on a white pedestal.
—Charlotte Goddu, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
Ridley Scott, a filmmaker not known for pulling his punches, has issued a withering assessment on the health of Hollywood output right now.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2025
Shepp announced that Veal earned the rare Girl Scout Saving Award, an accolade reserved for monumental acts of bravery; Veal, along with her mother, helped save the life of a Sand City Beach fisherman who lost his footing and collapsed, pulling him ashore.
—Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 30 Sep. 2025
The profile image on the chat features a behind-the-scenes snapshot of Bailey with his on-screen brothers Luke Newton (Colin Bridgerton) and Luke Thompson (Benedict Bridgerton) pulling silly faces.
—Olivia-Anne Cleary, Time, 30 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pulling
Verb
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View gallery - 4 images Belgium's Bike43 has revealed a nifty cargo ebike that can grow as your family or hauling needs change.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
3 Oct. 2025
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That included branding civil rights advocacy and speech defamatory, a breach of the peace, or hate speech, and hauling activists into courts and jails.—
Time,
Time,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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According to Alixandra, who didn't share her surname, Sparrow masterminded her own midnight feast by toppling the feeder and prying off the lid.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
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This is about creating a childhood away from prying eyes, giving his children the space and support to enjoy being children without a care in the world.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Deafening whistles soundtracked the final nine minutes of Sunday’s clash after Grealish’s goal, the game stretching into the 102nd minute before the time was called.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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The often snowy State Route 67, stretching some 43 miles south from Jacob Lake Inn to the lodge and scenic overlooks, goes unplowed after the first big storm.—
Brandon Loomis,
AZCentral.com,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The move ended with Gravenberch dragging the Galatasaray forward down outside the box and receiving a yellow card.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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Last week in Chicago, federal agents descended in a Blackhawk to clear out an entire apt complex, dragging children out of their beds and zip-tying residents for hours without articulating any probable cause.—
Carlo Versano,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In the footage, a uniformed officer is seen forcibly grabbing the female passenger’s arm and yanking her towards the aisle.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
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Stern is one of several high-profile entertainments hosts who have condemned ABC and Disney for yanking Kimmel off the air.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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While global data center appetite is strong, the pace and scale of these projects are straining traditional lenders, said the panelists.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
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Domestically in Taiwan, Washington’s growing list of demands are straining relations with the East Asian economic powerhouse, and risk further souring public sentiment in Taiwan toward the US.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Guardiola was agitated that Van Hecke went to ground inside his own penalty area in a shirt-tugging duel with Erling Haaland.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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Stylists crouch just out of frame, tugging seams, swapping earrings, brushing stray hairs from her face, while publicists hover nearby.—
Nicole Fell,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But Democrats, still reeling from drawing widespread criticism for helping Republicans avoid a shutdown in March, appeared committed this time to not give in without extracting concessions on health care and other priorities.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
1 Oct. 2025
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While cracks and surface defects caused by traffic and environmental stress are easy to spot, detecting micro-cracks and damage in the lower layers still requires drilling and extracting core samples.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pulling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pulling. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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