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 games consisted of various team activities, including tug of war, dodgeball, kickball, as well as individual endurance tests and an obstacle course. — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2026

The perfect dog needed to love balls or tug toys, be neurotic and extremely obsessive. — Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 11 Aug. 2026

Verb

If friends tug you into big plans, leave room for edits and ask for feedback tomorrow, since a pause protects your clever mood. — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Aug. 2026

The incident appeared to have tugged on something much deeper. — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026