1
as in pulling
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 laboring
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 tugging
Love & Other Drugs (2010) Edward Zwick’s Love & Other Drugs is a mixed bag, attempting to skewer the pharmaceutical world at the advent of Viagra while also being a heart-tugging romantic comedy.
—
Chris Feil, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Having the peace of mind that your top won’t distract you by shifting or tugging makes bodysuits a worthwhile office attire investment.
—Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 12 Apr. 2026
The nylon fabric is structured but not stiff, with enough stretch to handle a scramble without tugging at your knees.
—Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2026
Nanny Aimee -- our second in command -- was moving through the far corners of the house, waking up each of the littles, kissing sleepy eyelids, tugging my two toddlers gently forward into the day.
—Shafiq Najib, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
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
To play for Hurley is to understand that taking a play off is not acceptable, that bending over and tugging at your short hems – a sure sign, in Hurley’s estimation, of weakness – will earn you either a death stare or a run up the steps.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
The silky, twist-up pencil glides on without tugging and sets to a budge-proof, waterproof finish that holds up against humidity, sweat, and long days.
—Sarah Felbin, Allure, 30 Mar. 2026
By July or August, if all goes well, the spacecraft will begin the monthslong process of tugging Swift up, aiming for an altitude of about 550 kilometers.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 26 Mar. 2026
Chris Feil, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Having the peace of mind that your top won’t distract you by shifting or tugging makes bodysuits a worthwhile office attire investment.
—Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 12 Apr. 2026
The nylon fabric is structured but not stiff, with enough stretch to handle a scramble without tugging at your knees.
—Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2026
Nanny Aimee -- our second in command -- was moving through the far corners of the house, waking up each of the littles, kissing sleepy eyelids, tugging my two toddlers gently forward into the day.
—Shafiq Najib, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
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
To play for Hurley is to understand that taking a play off is not acceptable, that bending over and tugging at your short hems – a sure sign, in Hurley’s estimation, of weakness – will earn you either a death stare or a run up the steps.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
The silky, twist-up pencil glides on without tugging and sets to a budge-proof, waterproof finish that holds up against humidity, sweat, and long days.
—Sarah Felbin, Allure, 30 Mar. 2026
By July or August, if all goes well, the spacecraft will begin the monthslong process of tugging Swift up, aiming for an altitude of about 550 kilometers.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 26 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tugging
Verb
-
The Moon in Sagittarius moves through your 9th House of Perspective, pulling you toward bigger plans and bold ideas that feel exciting.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
4 May 2026
-
Police tried pulling him over around the area of Beverly and San Vicente boulevards, a major intersection adjacent to the Beverly Center shopping mall and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
For the rest of us, the construction kickoff means delay upon delay as streets, avenues and roads are awash with heavy equipment and construction workers laboring with jackhammers, picks and shovels.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Trump poses as a pro-worker force, but his policies are atrocious for the laboring class.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Her social media feed piled up with video after video of polar bear rescues, such as fishermen or scientists hauling a freezing, struggling baby polar bear onto a ship.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
-
The new law, which took effect in October, requires tow truck companies to give owners notice before hauling away a car for minor issues like failing to display an apartment complex’s parking permit or parking in the wrong space.—
Ginny Monk,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
When Wagner was healthy in the first four games, Cunningham was still getting his points, but getting them inefficiently, struggling to find rhythm against Wagner’s length and discipline.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 May 2026
-
After struggling in his first game back — which Boston won by 32 points to take a 3-1 series lead — the 2023 NBA MVP was a defining figure in Games 5, 6 and 7.—
Zack Cox,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
Sam instead proposes that the performer dance to it without music, a prompt that is followed by Anne Hathaway flinging herself across the room, dragging her body across the floor in a hypnotic spectacle that seems to convey struggle, possession, and loss of control.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Even the sleeker Samsonite Proxis feels substantial without dragging you over the limit.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
These families often manage substantial archives through private LLCs, striving to preserve and amplify the artists’ reputations without the institutional backing or capital that buoy larger foundations.—
Angelica Villa,
ARTnews.com,
1 May 2026
-
These organizations, striving to fill the information gap created by the state government’s increasing drift toward secrecy — can’t rely on taxpayers to pay their bills.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Adjust the plan, and let that flexibility keep everything working without losing your own direction or sense of independence in the process.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
4 May 2026
-
Onscreen, the seduction was working.—
Anna Wiener,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Offensive surge results in a 15-2 rout of the visiting Twins as Washington gets contributions from several players trying to secure their roster spots.—
Danielle Allentuck,
Washington Post,
7 May 2026
-
Tasks, messages, or requests may stack up quickly, but trying to handle everything at once will slow you down.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tugging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tugging. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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