TUGGER Synonyms: 111 Similar and Opposite Words

tug 1 of 2

noun

Definition of tug

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

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

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

Mental overstimulation is likely today as the Sagittarius moon plays tug of war with Mars. — Usa Today, USA Today, 25 July 2026 Instead of grabbing a handful of vines and giving them a hard tug, work slowly and loosen the soil around the ivy first. — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 24 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

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

Verb

The complainant, who was not identified in the initial case report, said Celeste was attacked by a dog and dragged through the woods.

— Rafael Escalera Montoto, Arkansas Online, 5 Aug. 2026
In March, as the criminal investigation dragged on and many wondered if Burke would ever face charges, Jane, the girl who frequently messaged with Burke before Rivas Hernandez, dreamt about him on his birthday.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of drag

Noun

That screwed up the works / And not due to his sloppy hiring / Of a crew of incompetent jerks.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026
Kris and Billy watch that one together in an intimate sleepover, sinking into the murky texture of a scene in which the virginal actor allowed a jerk to take off her clothes.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of jerk

Verb

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum ruled out fracking in a key basin, citing danger to nearby water tables and indigenous communities — a move that highlights her political balancing act as the country strives to wean off US energy.

— Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Leaders should strive to embed a security engineer directly into product squads from the design phase, turning cryptographic requirements into ordinary user stories rather than late-stage compliance findings.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of strive

Browse Nearby Words

tufts

tug

tugboat

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Style

“Tug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tug. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of tug

noun

verb

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