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
Mike Wall, Space.com, 21 May 2025
No, because my dad grabbed the back of my shorts and yanked me to safety with the giant tug of a rescue wedgie.
—Outside Online, 21 May 2025
Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 16 May 2025
Two of the city’s most prominent sports decision-makers, trying to tug their Broncos to the same heights these Nuggets have reached in recent years, were treated to some of the most putrid basketball anyone inside Ball Arena could’ve possibly imagined.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 11 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tug
Noun
Starfish's first mission, Otter Pup 1, launched on SpaceX's Transporter 8 rideshare flight in June 2023, on board a space tug operated by the California company Launcher.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 21 May 2025
No, because my dad grabbed the back of my shorts and yanked me to safety with the giant tug of a rescue wedgie.
—Outside Online, 21 May 2025
Verb
At some point, viewers feel as if they’re being tugged along instead of eagerly anticipating the next turn of events.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 16 May 2025
Two of the city’s most prominent sports decision-makers, trying to tug their Broncos to the same heights these Nuggets have reached in recent years, were treated to some of the most putrid basketball anyone inside Ball Arena could’ve possibly imagined.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 11 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tug
Noun
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How to Pick a Hardware Color If choosing colorful knobs and pulls, Stephenson says her first move is to eliminate disliked colors.—
Kristina McGuirk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 June 2025
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Considering their pull with the UFC and PFL, could a superfight even happen?—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
Verb
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The operation is massive: participants haul wagons and horses up to Nevada from all over California and coordinate nightly rest stops in shopping centers, ranches, even neighborhoods.—
Tina Li,
Sacbee.com,
7 June 2025
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Efforts to haul him in for oversight hit a brick wall.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Both players have struggled with runners in scoring position this season, but that wasn’t the case Tuesday.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2025
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For example, prior to May, Tesla's Australia sales struggled amid reports of vandalism and protests related to Musk's work with U.S. President Donald Trump's administration and support for far-right parties in Europe.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
4 June 2025
Noun
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Four yanks later, voila: Clayton had pulled free his prize, leaving just a single strand of nylon stuck in the Alamodome rim.—
Brendan Marks,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
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Each blade has a pull tab at the top of its cartridge; just give it a gentle yank to remove it.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Over the Great Plains, the high-level flow of winds has been pushing the smoke south, and shifting upper-level winds from the west will drag the smoke over the eastern states, according to The Weather Channel.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
5 June 2025
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The phone call between Trump and Putin came as the war, which has dragged on for nearly 3.5 years, shows no signs of abating despite mounting pressure for a diplomatic breakthrough.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
4 June 2025
Verb
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Halfway through his first term, Johnson is laboring diligently to shore up his support among Black voters.—
Laura Washington,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2025
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Supreme Court justice calls it 'ridiculous' Trump cuts reach climate scientists who labored for free Melina Khan is a trending reporter covering national news for USA TODAY.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
Noun
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As part of Gabriel’s solution to showing Ansari’s character that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the Hollywood, the well-meaning angel body-swaps him with an uber-rich jerk, played by Seth Rogen.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
28 May 2025
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The left horse just wanted to shamble along, while the right horse pulled with frantic jerks.—
Louise Erdrich,
New Yorker,
25 May 2025
Verb
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This leads them to strive to inspire others, creating a virtuous cycle that perpetually increases engagement, a sense of purpose, and more.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
3 June 2025
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The album’s 11 tracks don’t strive to be confessional, just open.—
Janine Schaults,
Chicago Tribune,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tug. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
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