Synonyms of tug

tug 1 of 2

noun

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

• pull
• yank
• jerk
• wrench
• haul
• draw
• grab
• pluck
• tow
• drag
• hitch
• twitch
• snatch

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• push
• thrust
• shove
• heave

tug

2 of 2

verb

ˈtəg 

1

as in to pull

to cause to follow by applying steady force on

tugged on the door until it opened

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pull
• haul
• drag
• tow
• draw
• lug
• carry
• attract
• hale
• heave
• move
• yank
• jerk
• transport
• convey
• ferry

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• push
• drive
• thrust
• propel
• shove

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

• struggle
• labor
• strive
• work
• endeavor
• slave
• try
• plow
• plug
• toil
• sweat
• dig (away)
• hustle
• strain
• hump
• bang away
• beaver (away)
• travail
• grub
• drudge
• peg (away)
• plod
• fag
• sweat blood
• slog
• buckle (down)
• apply (oneself)
• exert
• moil
• scratch
• attack
• pitch in
• exercise
• drive
• hammer (away)
• essay
• dig in
• grind (out)
• eke out
• wade
• knuckle down
• overexert
• overwork
• put out
• trudge
• scrabble

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• break
• slacken
• ease (up)
• bum
• let up
• hang (around or out)
• idle
• lounge
• shirk
• slack (off)
• goof (off)
• rest
• hack (around)
• chill
• relax
• loaf
• unwind
• play
• laze
• repose
• hang
• bask
• loll
• veg out
• trifle
• dillydally
• dabble
• goldbrick
• fool around
• doodle
• dally
• footle
• goof (around)
• hang about
• mess around
• monkey (around)
• putter (around)
• potter (around)
• fribble

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of tug

Noun

The sell-side tug of war Despite the dire credit picture, equity sentiment remains fiercely divided, driving this week's 17% bounce from the lows. — Michael Khouw, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026

The knitting process is portable and easy, but the structure also means a tug on one loose end can quickly unravel the whole project. — Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2026

Verb

Rocki sat in a high chair while tugging on the long, black wig that was on her head. — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2026

In the Re/Icons clip, Cher tugs at the scarf in a playful reference to the show. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026