tug 1 of 2

noun

Definition of tugnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

tug

2 of 2

verb

ˈtəg How to pronounce tug (audio)
1
as in to pull
to cause to follow by applying steady force on tugged on the door until it opened

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 tug
Noun
These shorts have an easy pull-on opening that eliminates the tug-and-jump dance associated with denim shorts. — Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 14 July 2026 For as much as many savor the South Florida lifestyle, the tug of a hometown can have an even greater pull on the heartstrings. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 11 July 2026
Verb
But the star is also a beloved actress doing great work in a movie that tugs on the heartstrings. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2026 Meanwhile, other storylines were timely and tugged at heartstrings, such as when her character officiated the first gay male wedding on daytime TV in a 2014 episode following Marlena’s emotional coming-out scenes with her grandson. — Jeff Nelson, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for tug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tug
  1. pull
  2. haul
  3. struggle
  4. yank
  5. drag
  6. labor
  7. jerk
  8. strive
Noun
  • In the wild west of the crypto world, a rug pull is a con job where developers pump up the value of a token and then suddenly vanish with the investor funds.
    — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
  • If pleated slack shorts feel a little too dressed up for your everyday, opt for this comfy linen pull-on pair.
    — Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of pull
Verb
  • Like the first two LPs, it was produced by the band members themselves, who opted this time to haul their gear into their rehearsal space and record there to save money on studio fees.
    — Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Allen leaped off both feet, sent his right arm into the air and hauled it in — with one hand.
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of haul
Verb
  • On the other hand, if a teenager is struggling and isn’t involved in any activities, encourage them to explore their interests as a way of making those initial connections.
    — Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
  • New telescopes in the $50 range are usually tiny 50- to 70-millimeter refractors that struggle with faint objects.
    — Damian Peach, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of struggle
Noun
  • The yanks are coming, the yanks are coming!
    — Kirk Bowman, The Conversation, 9 June 2026
  • Connie Lansdown, the hysterectomy patient, watches the storm yank a man from a reclining chair and drag him down the hall.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 22 May 2026
Definition of yank
Verb
  • Oil prices got back to jumping on Wednesday, while sinking technology stocks dragged Wall Street lower amid uncertainty about what the Federal Reserve will do to get high inflation under control.
    — Stan Choe, Fortune, 29 July 2026
  • Iran war could drag on for months The US-Iran war will likely drag on for months, analysts predicted, as new strikes disrupted a tenuous pause and the conflict widened.
    — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of drag
Verb
  • Prielipp, like Matthews, labored through a long first inning.
    — Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Roupp labored through an erratic outing, allowing five runs and walking four batters over 4 2/3 innings.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of labor
Noun
  • Cayman’s restaurant culture is shaped by the more than 130 different nationalities found on the islands, from traditional jerk chicken joints to fine dining establishments.
    — Taylor McIntyre, Travel + Leisure, 28 July 2026
  • The desire to make fresh New York rap that isn’t indebted to drill, or chasing broader Gen-Z hip-hop trends such as jerk and rage rap, sometimes leads to experiments that don’t land anywhere.
    — Lei Takanashi, Pitchfork, 27 July 2026
Definition of jerk
Verb
  • Arnetra and her sister, Akiva, described Darius as a joker, always striving to bring joy to those around him.
    — Maveah Griffith, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026
  • At the time, the organization, which typically strives to have four days worth of blood on hand, only had two, according to Kristin Connor, Vitalant’s northern California communications manager.
    — Velvet Wu July 29, Sacbee.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of strive

Browse Nearby Words

tufts
tug
tugboat
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Cite this Entry

“Tug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tug. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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