TOW Synonyms: 27 Similar and Opposite Words

tow 1 of 2

verb

ˈtō

Definition of tow

as in to pull

to cause to follow by applying steady force on towed the car into the shop for repair

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

tow

2 of 2

noun

as in tug

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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 tow

Verb

When those citations occur, the buyer is fined at least $1,000 and their vehicle is towed. — Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026 Deputies brought the three boaters — described as Foster City residents — out of the water, and the unit transported the boaters and towed the sailboat to the Coyote Point Marina. — Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 13 July 2026

Noun

Others, who either forget or are unwilling to hassle the move, incur a $65 ticket and often a tow, creating a time-consuming obstacle for broom operators. — Norman Steisel, New York Daily News, 29 June 2026 Kara Zor-El (Alcock) goes on a planet-hopping mission to save her beloved Krypto – with young and vengeful girl Ruthye (Eve Ridley) in tow – after he’s poisoned by the villainous Krem of the Yellow Hills (Matthias Schoenaerts). — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for tow

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tow

Verb

Eileen Tyrrell, a 27-year-old bookseller, pulled the cushions off her couch to arrange makeshift seating in her Brooklyn apartment.

— Grey Battle, Washington Post, 16 July 2026
The strong currents from flash floods can pull drivers off roadways.

— CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026

Definition of pull

Noun

Thus, with gravity the ultimate winner of this cosmic tug of war, the star's core collapses, sending violent shockwaves rippling outward into the outer stellar layers, which are ripped away.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 10 July 2026
Momentus’ spacecraft can also serve as space tugs to ferry smaller satellites or experiments from one orbit to another.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 9 July 2026

Definition of tug

Verb

Watching a mother turtle haul herself ashore under a canopy of stars to lay her eggs is a truly primal and humbling sight.

— Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 5 July 2026
Djokovic became so frustrated that he was given a code violation warning for smashing a racket, before eventually hauling himself over the line.

— Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 5 July 2026

Definition of haul

Noun

Nvidia provided the biggest boost to the Nasdaq-100, contributing 98 points, while Microsoft was the largest drag, subtracting 21 points.

— Yun Li, CNBC, 14 July 2026
The garages at drag events are full of red-eyed madmen who have sold their houses and chased their wives and children away in pursuit of this.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 July 2026

Definition of drag

Noun

The driver hits Leatherface in the head with a wrench, incapacitating him long enough for the driver to run away and Sally to jump into the cab of a passing pickup truck.

— Jordana Rosenfeld, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 July 2026
The device is expected to be unveiled later this year – but the lawsuit could throw a wrench into those plans.

— Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 10 July 2026

Definition of wrench

Noun

There’s a collective draw toward the general aesthetic vision on offer here — cold, computerized, humanity-drained — and the frictionless insularity of the characters’ lives.

— Nick H. Penniman, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2026
The referee crew’s three World Cup matches thus far include a 2-2 group-stage draw between the Netherlands and Japan; Spain’s 1-0 win over Uruguay; and Norway’s 2-1 victory over Brazil in the Round of 16.

— PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 15 July 2026

Definition of draw

Noun

Bates plans to expand that menu in the new brick-and-mortar restaurant, adding dishes like jerk catfish pasta and Louisiana Cajun cream sauce over dirty rice.

— Joey Schamber, jsonline.com, 8 July 2026
For instance, there are glazed pork belly chunks served on crispy tostones, tuna tataki with a jerk-spice rub, and a bright, citrusy conch salad.

— Chadner Navarro, Travel + Leisure, 29 June 2026

Definition of jerk

Browse Nearby Words

touts

tow

toward

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“Tow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tow. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of tow

verb

noun

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