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
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
The movie was a major success, tugging at the heartstrings of pet owners everywhere.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 26 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
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
The movie was a major success, tugging at the heartstrings of pet owners everywhere.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 26 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
-
All of which is great news for Adam Silver and everyone else pulling a paycheck from the league.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Seated calf raises can lower post-meal blood sugar spikes by gradually pulling glucose from the bloodstream.—
Mira Miller,
Verywell Health,
26 Apr. 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
-
The Russian freighter, known as Progress 95, is hauling about 3 tons of food, propellant and other supplies to the International Space Station (ISS).—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Literally hauling the extra weight of the wiring harness around, not giving the customer any benefit.—
Jamie Lincoln Kitman,
Rolling Stone,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As the city morphs into a luxury tourist destination, struggling small businesses are pushing to retain the character that drew many tourists in the first place.—
Laura Millan,
Bloomberg,
27 Apr. 2026
-
If your friend is lonely or struggling to establish her identity without her sister living in the house, time with friends and time intentionally getting to know herself will be more productive.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 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
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Even the sleeker Samsonite Proxis feels substantial without dragging you over the limit.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Boring dad; feisty mom; rich do-gooder; striving newcomer; MAGA one; MAGA two.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Seasoned party-planners say that striving to create meaningful interactions instead of for perfection alleviates some of the stress of hosting.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The National Conflict Resolution Center has hosted this event for 38 years now, to recognize individuals and organizations working with passion and purpose toward a better future for all Americans.—
Steven P. Dinkin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Clear, kind boundaries keep things working.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Magic, meanwhile, played like a team trying to close out a series – close, competitive, but just a step behind in the details that matter most in the postseason.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The Dodgers, relative to other organizations, are aggressive in trying to improve the team, spending money on key free agents even after winning back-to-back World Series championships.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tugging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tugging. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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