Synonyms of tugging

tugging

verb

present participle of tug

1

as in pulling

to cause to follow by applying steady force on

tugged on the door until it opened

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pulling
• hauling
• dragging
• towing
• lugging
• drawing
• carrying
• attracting
• yanking
• heaving
• haling
• jerking
• moving
• transporting
• conveying
• ferrying

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pushing
• driving
• propelling
• shoving
• thrusting

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

• laboring
• struggling
• striving
• working
• trying
• endeavoring
• sweating
• plowing
• humping
• toiling
• straining
• grubbing
• plugging
• digging (away)
• hustling
• slaving
• plodding
• slogging
• drudging
• pegging (away)
• travailing
• banging away
• moiling
• fagging
• exerting
• scratching
• applying (oneself)
• attacking
• sweating blood
• beavering (away)
• buckling (down)
• driving
• hammering (away)
• exercising
• digging in
• wading
• pitching in
• scrabbling
• trudging
• grinding (out)
• overworking
• essaying
• eking out
• overexerting
• knuckling down
• putting out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• breaking
• slackening
• easing (up)
• idling
• lounging
• hanging (around or out)
• shirking
• resting
• chilling
• letting up
• bumming
• loafing
• dallying
• lazing
• unwinding
• hanging
• relaxing
• hacking (around)
• playing
• goofing (off)
• slacking (off)
• lolling
• reposing
• basking
• dabbling
• goldbricking
• trifling
• dillydallying
• footling
• doodling
• fooling around
• messing around
• vegging out
• puttering (around)
• goofing (around)
• monkeying (around)
• pottering (around)
• hanging about
• fribbling

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of tugging

To harvest, use pruning shears, scissors, or a knife to cut cucumbers from the vine, rather than pulling them off, as tugging can harm the plant. —Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 23 May 2026

Before the film's presentation, the actress was seen playfully tugging at her husband's blazer. —Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026

The gel formula swipes onto the lids without any skipping or tugging, giving you ample time to smudge, sculpt, or sharpen the line before the brand’s patented PermaLock Technology sets it into a waterproof, transfer-proof, and smudge-proof finish. —Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 10 May 2026

The rejection hit me hard—the story, of the daughter of a celebrity chef who moves to a small town after being adopted by her older brother, was really tugging at my heartstrings. —Literary Hub, 7 May 2026

Earlier this month, Chelsea Women’s head coach Sonia Bompastor took umbrage with Arsenal’s Katie McCabe tugging the locks of Alyssa Thompson during a Champions League tie. —Phil Hay, New York Times, 4 May 2026

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