1
as in hauls
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 yanks
to draw out by force or with effort
the dentist had to struggle to pull the tooth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in tugs
the act or an instance of applying force on something so that it moves in the direction of the force
I gave the door such a pull that when it suddenly opened, I nearly fell backwards
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sways
the power to direct the thinking or behavior of others usually indirectly
their lawyer supposedly has a lot of pull with the administration in Washington
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in edges
the more favorable condition or position in a competition
a political candidate with all of the pull that comes with a vast fortune and famous surname
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pulls
Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 2 Nov. 2025
Whether Grier pulls the trigger on a trade will likely depend on what’s offered, and for who.
—Omar Kelly
updated October 31, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
Whatever pulls them together may also be the thing that tears them apart.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2025
That line belongs to Triss Merigold, who is shocked when Yennefer pulls a small jade statue out of her decolletage and transforms it back into Francesca Findabair, the elven queen still grieving the loss of both her husband and her infant heir.
—Scott Meslow, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
CorVision pulls ventilator data into one view, highlights changes worth a second look, and shares status with care partners in real time.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
In this Fixed Water sign, the sun pulls our awareness inward, evoking a desire for loyalty, intimacy and connection.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
This sleek propane fire pit pulls double duty as a stylish table for evening chats, s’mores nights, or crisp morning coffees.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Oct. 2025
The new political thriller from Hurt Locker and Zero Dark Thirty director Kathryn Bigelow, A House Of Dynamite pulls us back into a Cold War nightmare.
—PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025
Make sure to clean and polish knobs and pulls.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2025
Thanks to some vintage pulls from Marge’s high school wardrobe, Lisa becomes a style icon at Springfield Elementary, gaining her admission to the school’s exclusive fashion club.
—Andy Swift, TVLine, 28 Sep. 2025
There were four big money lottery draw games Friday, but Cash4Life, Jackpot Triple Play, Mega Millions and Fantasy 5 pulls produced only a jackpot winner for a player at a Publix.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2025
While club masseurs and physios were kept busy dealing with his team-mates’ pulls and strains, Salah’s only demands were around preparation and ensuring his body was ready for whatever Klopp had to throw at him the following day.
—Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
The first-team All-County linebacker in ’24 led the Lancers in flag pulls, grabbed eight interceptions, and still caught 20 TDs.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 16 Aug. 2025
The former material pops from directly above the foot and is matched by the color on one of the two heel pulls and the heel of the midsole.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Verb
Gold pulls Alté maven Cruel Santino, Nigerian pop star Davido, and Zimbabwean-Australian rapper Tkay Maidza across two songs that embrace the spirit of South African house music.
—Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 2 Nov. 2025
Whether Grier pulls the trigger on a trade will likely depend on what’s offered, and for who.
—Omar Kelly
updated October 31, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
Whatever pulls them together may also be the thing that tears them apart.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2025
That line belongs to Triss Merigold, who is shocked when Yennefer pulls a small jade statue out of her decolletage and transforms it back into Francesca Findabair, the elven queen still grieving the loss of both her husband and her infant heir.
—Scott Meslow, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
CorVision pulls ventilator data into one view, highlights changes worth a second look, and shares status with care partners in real time.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
In this Fixed Water sign, the sun pulls our awareness inward, evoking a desire for loyalty, intimacy and connection.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
This sleek propane fire pit pulls double duty as a stylish table for evening chats, s’mores nights, or crisp morning coffees.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Oct. 2025
The new political thriller from Hurt Locker and Zero Dark Thirty director Kathryn Bigelow, A House Of Dynamite pulls us back into a Cold War nightmare.
—PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
Low-Quality Fixtures Finishes and fixtures—like faucets and lights, to door hardware and drawer pulls—might seem like an easy place to save on cost, but experts, designers, and Redditors alike often warn that cheap fixtures will quickly reveal their flaws.
—Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025
Make sure to clean and polish knobs and pulls.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2025
Thanks to some vintage pulls from Marge’s high school wardrobe, Lisa becomes a style icon at Springfield Elementary, gaining her admission to the school’s exclusive fashion club.
—Andy Swift, TVLine, 28 Sep. 2025
There were four big money lottery draw games Friday, but Cash4Life, Jackpot Triple Play, Mega Millions and Fantasy 5 pulls produced only a jackpot winner for a player at a Publix.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2025
While club masseurs and physios were kept busy dealing with his team-mates’ pulls and strains, Salah’s only demands were around preparation and ensuring his body was ready for whatever Klopp had to throw at him the following day.
—Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
The first-team All-County linebacker in ’24 led the Lancers in flag pulls, grabbed eight interceptions, and still caught 20 TDs.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 16 Aug. 2025
The former material pops from directly above the foot and is matched by the color on one of the two heel pulls and the heel of the midsole.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pulls
Verb
-
While Alex is reeling from his discovery, Dwayne attacks him and hauls him away.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Henry is surprised by the reaction of the crowd, which hauls him outside to drown him in the well for sticking his nose in clan matters.—
Lincee Ray Published,
EW.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Suddenly, someone in the audience yanks her violently into the screaming mass of people.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
10 Oct. 2025
-
In each Whatever After novel, a magic portal yanks the main character, Abby, out of her comfortable life and thrusts her into another reality.—
Sarah Mlynowski,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
More than a half dozen members of the Tisch family, whose fortune stretches from real estate and hospitality to energy, packaging and sports, have given to Fix the City.—
Robert Frank,
CNBC,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Flight delays and cancellations are surging around the country as a result of staff shortages in airports as the government shutdown stretches on, causing thousands of air traffic controllers to work without pay.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Less obvious is how the Earth itself tugs at the solid rocky surface of the moon.—
Nola Taylor Tillman,
Space.com,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Throughout his time at the Palace, several women have reported feeling tugs on their hair or having the sensation that someone is lingering right over their shoulder.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Using a silhouette reminiscent of the iconic 1920s Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star, the Maison Margiela Loved to Death sneakers dial up the distressing with visible seams, raw edges and distressed rubber soles, but that’s only the beginning.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Rainwater tends to gather along the road edges.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The move comes as the federal government shutdown drags on into its fourth week with no end in sight, and Democrats and Republicans trading barbs and blame.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
28 Oct. 2025
-
As the federal government shutdown drags on, tens of millions of people are at risk of losing food and nutrition aid as a result.—
NPR,
NPR,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The show’s biggest laugh may come when Testa pries open Costanzo’s mouth and pronounces just how many performances of Norma Galas has left.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Without light and air, the grass weakens and dies instead of going into winter dormancy.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
30 Oct. 2025
-
For many shrubs, pruning in the fall weakens the plant by spurring tender new growth that is vulnerable to coming frosts.—
Erica Browne Grivas,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pulls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pulls. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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