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
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
The officer grabbed Lugo, with Barkley tugging at Lugo’s arm.
—Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2026
The easy-to-use roller design features a cooling metal applicator that gently glides across the neck's contours, massaging the lightweight formula into skin without pulling or tugging skin.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Playing the title role of a linguistics professor who faces changes and prepares her family for what's to come as the disease takes hold, Moore navigates the character arc with honesty and heart-tugging empathy.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
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
The officer grabbed Lugo, with Barkley tugging at Lugo’s arm.
—Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2026
The easy-to-use roller design features a cooling metal applicator that gently glides across the neck's contours, massaging the lightweight formula into skin without pulling or tugging skin.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Playing the title role of a linguistics professor who faces changes and prepares her family for what's to come as the disease takes hold, Moore navigates the character arc with honesty and heart-tugging empathy.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tugging
Verb
-
The 2018 Hands-Free Georgia Act, which effectively banned drivers from holding phones, made pulling drivers over easier.—
Doug Turnbull,
AJC.com,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Saturday, and a good Samaritan is credited with pulling the three survivors out of the inlet, the USCG told The Charlotte Observer.—
Mark Price
April 5,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Smith allowed one hit in the laboring 99-pitch outing.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Alongside the currently missing McDaniels and Edwards, Naz Reid is clearly laboring.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The sheriff's office said that the timber-hauling truck was in compliance with all safety measures regarding its cargo, and no criminal or civil charges were anticipated.—
April 3,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The image below shows the SLS freeing itself of Earth, hauling the Artemis 2 mission to the darkening skies above Florida.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Kazan, struggling to find a local cinematographer whose work appealed to him, lucked into hiring a living legend.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Acquired before last year’s trade deadline from the Colorado Rockies, Bird was quickly demoted after struggling in his initial Yankee stint.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Two days later, Gomes Akay was seen dragging a large suitcase that appeared to be overfilled from the hotel.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Gomes Akay was seen two days later dragging a large suitcase from the hotel.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As is often true of an Allbee play, cracks in the veneer open into chasms of striving, desire, betrayal and raw revelation.—
Steven Winn,
San Francisco Chronicle,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Unlike Apollo, which focused on fast flags and footprints in a breakneck race against the Soviet Union, Artemis is striving for a sustainable moon base elaborate enough to satisfy even the most hard-core science fiction fans.—
Marcia Dunn,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This was, according to the charter, arguably the moment when OpenAI might stop competing with other companies and start working with them.—
Ronan Farrow,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Eco effort This property honors the land around it, working with it and integrating its lava rock wherever possible.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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With high-scoring teammate Leon Draisaitl possibly returning from injury for the start of the postseason, the Oilers are trying to get back into top form in time to make another deep run.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Administration officials labeled Good and Pretti domestic terrorists and said Good, who was also behind the wheel of her car when shot, was trying to run officers over.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tugging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tugging. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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