1
as in pulling
to cause to follow by applying steady force on
tugged on the door until it opened
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
The wind howled, rattling metal signs and tugging at our clothes as the dust swallowed everything in sight.
—
Shaun McKinnon, AZCentral.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Shaun McKinnon, AZCentral.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tugging
Verb
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Instead, his impact, like pulling children into his winner's circle, will continue to be honored by other tracks.—
Stephanie Kuzydym,
The Courier-Journal,
3 Sep. 2025
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Carpenter spoke with Morning Edition host Leila Fadel about the challenges of relationships, her controversial album cover, which depicts her kneeling beside a man who is pulling her hair, and the new songs featured on the album.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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During that season Clark was laboring to teach all his defensive linemen a new technique to use, and players would have to film themselves working on it, and send it into the coaches.—
Omar Kelly
August 23,
Miami Herald,
23 Aug. 2025
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Wall Street economists are fixated on identifying tariff effects, yet stocks either celebrated or shrugged off three warm and sticky inflation readings this week, laboring to hold near record highs.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Steele Canvas provides 100 percent cotton canvas totes for hauling laundry to the laundromat or back to their parents’ house.—
Catherine Salfino,
Sourcing Journal,
22 Aug. 2025
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But the natural lobster flavor shone through most, possibly a testament to Holden’s deep rooted understanding of the crustacean and all those years hauling traps with his father.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Even with Muchová so clearly struggling, Osaka faced some weird jeopardy down the stretch.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
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However, even people who have these more 'substantial' degrees are struggling.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Since the deal closed in 2015, Kraft Heinz shares had tumbled nearly 70% as of Friday's close, dragging the company's market value down to $33 billion.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
2 Sep. 2025
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Nvidia fell roughly 2%, dragging the market lower.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The brand name also serves as a reminder that our journeys are about striving toward something greater than ourselves, even in the face of challenges, according to Reddick.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
26 Aug. 2025
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This is true for businesses striving to improve their technology adoption as well as tech leaders.—
David Henkin,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Former director of football Kevin Thelwell and Dan Purdy, two key drivers of the initial interest in Rohl, have since left the club and are working for Rangers in Scotland.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
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He's Delivered the Opposite | Opinion Venezuela has a unified and organized opposition that has been working tirelessly to prepare for this moment.—
Kristina Foltz,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Hit Man Based on an outrageous true story, Richard Linklater's 2024 action rom-com sees Glen Powell donning the many disguises of Gary Johnson, a New Orleans Police Department contractor who poses as a hitman to arrest those trying to hire him.—
Jacqueline Weiss,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
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Panouses regularly fields inquiries from investors, scammers and people in need, all trying to reach his clients.—
Safiyah Riddle,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tugging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tugging. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
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