as in pull
the act or an instance of applying force on something so that it moves in the direction of the force
gave the man in front a tug on his shirtsleeve as a sign that he was supposed to step aside
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in to struggle
to devote serious and sustained effort
she's tugged all her life to get to where she is now in the business world
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of tug
Navdeep Singh Dhillon, Parents, 21 Aug. 2025
Images from Japanese public broadcaster NHK showed tugs spraying water on the front of the New Orleans.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2025
Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 22 Aug. 2025
Emotional, sensitive and heartfelt With your deep well of feelings, Cancer gravitates toward stories that tug at the heartstrings.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tug
Noun
Kavya tugs on my arm, her nose is scrunched up, eyebrows discombobulated.
—Navdeep Singh Dhillon, Parents, 21 Aug. 2025
Images from Japanese public broadcaster NHK showed tugs spraying water on the front of the New Orleans.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
And at Roomers Munich, an Autograph Collection Hotel, a golden tassel hangs above the bed like an old-fashioned bell pull, and guests tug it to turn everything off in one go.
—Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 22 Aug. 2025
Emotional, sensitive and heartfelt With your deep well of feelings, Cancer gravitates toward stories that tug at the heartstrings.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tug
Noun
-
Gap Easy Straight Pull-on Pants The Gap has a reputation for designing well fitting, comfortable pants, and these casual pull-ons are no exception.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Such is her cultural gravitational pull, Vice President Vance, responding to the engagement news shared concerns the NFL might rig games in favor of Kelce’s team.—
Gemma Allen,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Under pressure throughout the final set, Sabalenka just about hauled herself over the line, an ace setting up match point.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
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There’s been a lot of dirt piled up and hauled out.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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After struggling in the first half, running back Jerrod Wiley got loose on an untouched 69-yard touchdown run on the first play of the next drive to put Heritage back up two scores at 30-21.—
Jordan Neal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Sep. 2025
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An ugly sweep at the hands of the Pittsburgh Pirates sunk their struggling offense to new depths and at least temporarily removed Will Smith from the equation.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Visitors to China will want to lighten their grip, while folks introducing themselves to Germans should know to stop after one firm downward yank.—
Chris Ciolli,
AFAR Media,
15 July 2025
-
Running on a level surface (in supportive shoes—see above!) can serve as plenty a cardio workout without the extra yank on your plantar fascia.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
20 June 2025
Verb
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The cousin tried to drag Guzman away, and saw the shooter walk back inside the house.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
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Mitchell was then dragged outside to the valet area, and a female Hyatt employee grabbed a broomstick and struck Mitchell with it.—
Chris Ramirez,
jsonline.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Some of the works would be labored over and over and over again.—
Lisa Deaderick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Aug. 2025
-
During that season Clark was laboring to teach all his defensive linemen a new technique to use, and players would have to film themselves working on it, and send it into the coaches.—
Omar Kelly
August 23,
Miami Herald,
23 Aug. 2025
Noun
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In the meantime, the seafood-heavy menu at The Shelbourne with dishes like red prawn ceviche or roasted grouper is a great option for dinner, while poolside dining offers more casual but delicious fare like conch fritters or a jerk smash burger.—
Elliott Harrell,
Southern Living,
31 Aug. 2025
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Vendors sold spicy dishes traditional to their countries like Jamaican jerk chicken and tacos from Mexico and the not-so-spicy, like raclette, a dish traditional to Switzerland, where molten cheese from a wheel of raclette cheese is poured over potatoes and other foods.—
Dominick Williams
August 17,
Kansas City Star,
17 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Now retired, Andra loved her job working for the federal government and strives to make a difference in the world around her.—
Liza Esquibias,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
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Businesses are striving to do more with less, cutting entry-level roles and striving for AI automation to save on headcount costs.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tug. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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