1
as in hauling
to cause to follow by applying steady force on
a team of horses pulling a heavy wagon
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
If the plant was root bound in its pot, consider pulling it out of the ground, loosening up the roots so water can penetrate, and replanting it.
—
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 June 2026
The mother of a security guard killed while working at a Deep Ellum nightclub last month has filed a lawsuit against the club and the man accused of pulling the trigger.
—Erin Jones, CBS News, 6 June 2026
In Istanbul, a corn vendor is pulling bigger crowds than some of the city’s monuments.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 6 June 2026
The way that draw is like gravity, pulling them in even when illumination is a promise of danger.
—Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
The Moon enters Pisces and your 4th House of Home and Family, pulling your attention toward emotional footing, private needs, and the atmosphere around you.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 June 2026
Your celestial ruler, Mercury, is in Cancer, pulling your focus toward self-worth, money and whether romantic connections feel generous or draining.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
Some families are pulling back on travel as gas and groceries get more expensive worldwide.
—Anton L. Delgado, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
Down 3-0, the notion of the Padres pulling this one out seemed outdated.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2026
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 June 2026
The mother of a security guard killed while working at a Deep Ellum nightclub last month has filed a lawsuit against the club and the man accused of pulling the trigger.
—Erin Jones, CBS News, 6 June 2026
In Istanbul, a corn vendor is pulling bigger crowds than some of the city’s monuments.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 6 June 2026
The way that draw is like gravity, pulling them in even when illumination is a promise of danger.
—Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
The Moon enters Pisces and your 4th House of Home and Family, pulling your attention toward emotional footing, private needs, and the atmosphere around you.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 June 2026
Your celestial ruler, Mercury, is in Cancer, pulling your focus toward self-worth, money and whether romantic connections feel generous or draining.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
Some families are pulling back on travel as gas and groceries get more expensive worldwide.
—Anton L. Delgado, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
Down 3-0, the notion of the Padres pulling this one out seemed outdated.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pulling
Verb
-
On an island where heroism is embedded in everyday acts of hauling vines up terraces, rebuilding after raids, quietly helping strangers in the night, the label itself feels unnecessary.—
Valentina Di Donato,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
-
Investigators said a big rig traveling westbound was hauling a tank full of water when the driver lost control and crashed into the center divider, causing the tank trailer to separate from the truck and cross into the eastbound lanes.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Three days after announcing the hire of Chris MacFarland as their new hockey boss after somehow prying him out of Colorado, the club announced the hiring of Rob Blake as executive vice president of hockey operations on Friday.—
Pierre LeBrun,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
-
Without prying into your personal life, is the album a story of going from being single to not being single?—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Even five minutes of slower breathing, stepping outside for sunlight, stretching or taking a short walk can help your body transition more smoothly into the day.—
Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
-
The top viewpoint is Monte Gelbison, which on clear days offers views stretching as far as the island of Stromboli.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Instead of running quietly in the background, sleep evangelists are shouting about its importance from the rooftops, and neuroscientists are dragging it out into the light of day on TED Talk stages for further dissection.—
Sharon Brandwein,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
-
Nasdaq shares tumbled more than 5% in the session, dragging the stock into the red week to date.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
There are stories of major Nashville players yanking him off the street, keeping him drunk for days in hotels, then leaving Knoxville with stacks of new songs.—
Jonathan Rowe,
SPIN,
1 June 2026
-
Since early May, companies that used the dry milk powder in their food products have been yanking those products on the concern they might be contaminated with salmonella.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
31 May 2026
Verb
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At a moment when international cooperation is essential to controlling outbreaks, policies that risk straining those relationships may have consequences that extend far beyond the care of a small number of patients.—
Krutika Kuppalli,
STAT,
5 June 2026
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However, certain behaviors like straining and position may contribute to issues like incomplete bladder emptying and pelvic floor dysfunction.—
Angela Ryan Lee,
Verywell Health,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Vinicus followed up his stunning early strike with a series of nagging runs, tugging the Panamanians’ back line into awkward shapes.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
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Jupiter's moons are in a chain of orbital resonances that could only have formed by the moons tugging gently on each other in passing over a long period of time, and crater records also suggest that Jupiter's moons are very, very old.—
Kiona N. Smith,
Space.com,
29 May 2026
Verb
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According to Ian James, Team Principal of Jaguar TCS Racing, manufacturers have become remarkably effective at extracting efficiency from modern electric motors and batteries.—
James Morris,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
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Simply extracting protein from the leaves would lead to fewer emissions and lower water usage than beef production.—
Alana Semuels,
Time,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pulling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pulling. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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