1
as in pulled
to cause to follow by applying steady force on
tugged on the door until it opened
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wrought
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
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Recent Examples of tugged
If a toy was tugged, it was considered a Pull type, and if it was retrieved when thrown, it was considered a Fetch type.
—
New Atlas, 21 Sep. 2025
This one may have tugged at your deepest insecurities around intimacy, trust, and vulnerability, pushing you to face the places where pride has sometimes acted as a shield.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 7 Sep. 2025
But almost as soon as that hopefulness returned, it was tugged away when ownership decided to slash payroll.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 12 Aug. 2025
There was a sentimental clip that tugged on the audience’s heartstrings showing Cantrall as a very young Disney performer.
—Scott King, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2025
In 1984, a memory tugged at him.
—Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2025
Timothy and Maud held tight to his jacket and tugged.
—Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2025
New Atlas, 21 Sep. 2025
This one may have tugged at your deepest insecurities around intimacy, trust, and vulnerability, pushing you to face the places where pride has sometimes acted as a shield.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 7 Sep. 2025
But almost as soon as that hopefulness returned, it was tugged away when ownership decided to slash payroll.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 12 Aug. 2025
There was a sentimental clip that tugged on the audience’s heartstrings showing Cantrall as a very young Disney performer.
—Scott King, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2025
In 1984, a memory tugged at him.
—Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2025
Timothy and Maud held tight to his jacket and tugged.
—Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tugged
Verb
-
The number of people using the FAIR plan for fire insurance has increased dramatically in recent years as companies have pulled back business in the state due to losses caused by major wildfires arising from risks due to climate change and other factors.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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On their first possession, Mahomes stood in the pocket with the Chiefs in the red zone, spotted receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster open down the middle and pulled the trigger on a third-down pass.—
Sam McDowell
October 3,
Kansas City Star,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Marc Márquez finally hauled himself back to the pinnacle of MotoGP in Japan last weekend, capping one of sport’s most arduous comeback stories with an almost flawless title charge.—
Jonathan Hawkins,
CNN Money,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Soldiers hauled them onto the beaches of Normandy on D-Day, along with their K Ration kits, which contained treats like coffee, cigarettes, and something closer to commercial chocolate—also made by Hershey, naturally.—
Diana Hubbell,
Popular Science,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Both teams are currently ranked in the top 10, and as is well-documented, Franklin has struggled in such games.—
Cameron Teague Robinson,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
-
The food bank has struggled to keep up with demand following the cuts and a decrease in private donations.—
ProPublica,
ProPublica,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
As the weeks dragged on, agencies including the IRS and State Department called more workers back to keep things running.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Oct. 2025
-
One letter submitted late Wednesday was from Gina Huynh, the Combs ex-girlfriend who previously told gossip vlogger Tasha K that Combs shoved her to the ground and dragged her by her hair in 2018.—
Jodi Guglielmi,
Rolling Stone,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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These women, many of whom worked in relative obscurity for all their lives, labored to redefine the rights and dignity of all people.—
Time,
Time,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Hammond labored 50 hours over a two week span to create her project.—
R. Daniel Foster,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Höglander worked hard this offseason, arrived at camp in excellent shape and was a standout in Penticton and in his two preseason appearances.—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
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For Ramos, who has worked for over a decade with therapy dogs, equine therapy is a new way to bring that comfort to patients and other children.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tugged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tugged. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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