as in pull
the act or an instance of applying force on something so that it moves in the direction of the force
had to give the shoe a good yank to get it off
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to jerk
to move or cause to move with a sharp quick motion
she stupidly yanked the wheel while I was driving
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to pull
to draw out by force or with effort
yanked out a tooth with a pair of pliers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to grab
to separate or remove by forceful pulling
grab the other one, and let's see if we can't yank these two grocery carriages apart
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of yank
Jenny Berg, Vogue, 20 Mar. 2025
The resulting specs: 434 ponies and 525 lb-ft of yank.
—Sean Evans, Robb Report, 30 Oct. 2024
Seth Yudof, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2025
This status explains why Moody’s Investors Service yanking away Washington’s last AAA rating in May didn’t tank the dollar.
—William Pesek, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for yank
Noun
Each blade has a pull tab at the top of its cartridge; just give it a gentle yank to remove it.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 20 Mar. 2025
The resulting specs: 434 ponies and 525 lb-ft of yank.
—Sean Evans, Robb Report, 30 Oct. 2024
Verb
The same corporate event planners who used to book futurists with hologram slide decks are now on the hunt for celebrity performers who can yank an audience out of its AI stupor for ten electrifying minutes.
—Seth Yudof, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2025
This status explains why Moody’s Investors Service yanking away Washington’s last AAA rating in May didn’t tank the dollar.
—William Pesek, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for yank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for yank
Noun
-
Band Pull-Aparts Band pull-aparts are a safe and effective way to target the rear delts using a resistance band.—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Somehow both spare and ornate, immersive and voyeuristic, The Silver Book has a pull that can’t be denied.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The president starts out by making a visit to Liberty Arena to play basketball with some school children, then gets jerked away when the crisis happens.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
2 Sep. 2025
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If Hall jerked too violently, let alone tried to run, the wire would pull the trigger, firing the shotgun Kiritsis had pointed at the back of Hall’s head.—
Katie Rife,
IndieWire,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Video surveillance from the scene posted online by Fox 11 shows a man lingering near a doorway, quickly grabbing the gift box from a table and running out of the venue.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The owner wanted to keep the grab-and-go options previously offered in the space.—
La Risa R. Lynch,
jsonline.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
When the state attorney’s office steps in, the prosecution pushes back, resulting in a legal and political tug of war that thrusts Adnan’s case into chaotic uncertainty.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
3 Sep. 2025
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Several noted that his instinctive tug had likely prevented the pair from colliding with the elk.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Jones’ raw traits have always been jaw-dropping — a 6-foot-6 defensive end who can combine an edge rusher’s twitch with an interior lineman’s power.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
30 Aug. 2025
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Koberidze opens with a montage of cats, foot traffic, street dogs twitching in their sleep, statues and trees casting long shadows across buildings.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
17 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
There may be even greater reasons to put an ad that plucks the heartstrings in front of a broader crowd.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Through the BirdReturns farmlands program, late-summer fields are filled with a shallow 2- to 4-inch depth, allowing shorebirds to pluck bugs from the mud beneath the water.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Sometimes the stories were ripped from the headlines, capitalizing on media frenzy.—
Jourdain Searles,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Sep. 2025
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The Padres ripped him for six runs on six hits over 3 2/3 innings.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As bystanders watched, the luxury yacht lurched to one side, tilting dangerously before taking on water.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
4 Sep. 2025
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In the face of this onslaught, the alcohol industry’s efforts to make drinking popular again have lurched into paranoia.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Yank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/yank. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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