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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tug
Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
At one point on Day 5 of this flight, late this Sunday, the spacecraft will officially cross the threshold of the lunar sphere of influence — the point in space where the tug of the moon’s gravity is stronger than Earth’s gravity.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
Lori Keong, Architectural Digest, 2 Apr. 2026
Sure, the sequence largely swipes away hints given prior that Bowser was an absent father, but in a film where most of the characters veer toward the blandly nice, watching a dad and his son bond over their same sociopathic tendencies was the only moment that tugged at the heartstrings.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tug
Noun
Finances and fun tug at each other as the dynamic Sun energizes your 2nd House of Budgeting and squares joyous Jupiter in your 5th House of Indulgence.
—Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
At one point on Day 5 of this flight, late this Sunday, the spacecraft will officially cross the threshold of the lunar sphere of influence — the point in space where the tug of the moon’s gravity is stronger than Earth’s gravity.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
Generally, both experts recommend being extra careful with blinds (following manufacturer directions, for example, and not tugging or pulling when dusting).
—Lori Keong, Architectural Digest, 2 Apr. 2026
Sure, the sequence largely swipes away hints given prior that Bowser was an absent father, but in a film where most of the characters veer toward the blandly nice, watching a dad and his son bond over their same sociopathic tendencies was the only moment that tugged at the heartstrings.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tug
Noun
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There was also a strong pull within the group to simply stick with the original logo.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
17 Apr. 2026
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These pull-on pants are going to be a wardrobe staple this summer.—
Claire Peltier,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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As the traffic slowly cleared, and tow trucks hauled cars away one by one, the small mountain town welcomed those during a tough time.—
Olivia Young,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
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Originally introduced in 1944—made of builders’ canvas for hauling ice—it’s still made in Maine, one tote at a time, tested to hold 500 pounds.—
Amanda Eyre Ward,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Despite plenty of sunshine on Monday, high temperatures may struggle to reach 60° with a blustery and cool wind much of the day.—
Steven Sosna,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
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School board candidates endorsed by the group struggled in elections, and rival liberal groups rose up to compete for power in America’s suburbs.—
Collin Binkley,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Soy sauce, Maggi seasoning, daikon and shiitake mushroom yank pot roast into new territory.—
Scott Hocker,
TheWeek,
24 Mar. 2026
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Effectively, this turned the workspace into a yank buffer along with all your documents, and undoing any destructive editing operation thus became merely another cut and paste.—
Cameron Kaiser,
ArsTechnica,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The officer grabbed me and said 'you're arrested,' and just put me in handcuffs and drug and dragged me out.—
Mahsa Saeidi,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
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The sharp, plumb bow and the hull that slowly widens aft, for example, reduce resistance and drag.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Put differently, eliminating tax on overtime reduces the number of hours each day that hourly workers are laboring not for themselves or their families but for the government.—
Stephen Moore,
Boston Herald,
10 Apr. 2026
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Smith allowed one hit in the laboring 99-pitch outing.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
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This was just the beginning of us young anarchists becoming judgmental jerks.—
Joseph Hudak,
Rolling Stone,
7 Apr. 2026
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Dear Jay Norvell, try not to be a complete @#$&%# jerk.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Telemundo strives to stay out of the political fray, Garcia said.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2026
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The referee’s voice is heard rarely, even on channels and in publications that normally strive to find editorial balance and know that giving both sides of a story is fair and of interest to viewers, listeners and readers.—
Graham Scott,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tug. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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