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

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

Jude, meanwhile, was shifting from tossing cones to tugging at his ears, afflicted with the same malady that had landed several of the toddlers on the room’s version of the injury list. — ABC News, 30 June 2026

Dogs tug excitedly at their leashes as children lead them through the rolling hills. — Patricia Huon, Christian Science Monitor, 30 June 2026