tug

1 of 3

verb

tugged; tugging

intransitive verb

1
: to pull hard
2
: to struggle in opposition : contend
3
: to exert oneself laboriously : labor

transitive verb

1
: to pull or strain hard at
2
a
: to move by pulling hard : haul
b
: to carry with difficulty : lug
3
: to tow with a tugboat
tugger noun

tug

2 of 3

noun

1
a
: an act or instance of tugging : pull
b
: a strong pulling force
2
a
: a straining effort
b
: a struggle between two people or opposite forces
3
4
b
: a short leather strap or loop
c
: a rope or chain used for pulling

Tug

3 of 3

abbreviation

tugrik, tugriks

Examples of tug in a Sentence

Verb I felt someone tugging on my sleeve. She tugged the cord until the plug came out of the wall socket. Noun He felt a gentle tug on his sleeve. gave the man in front a tug on his shirtsleeve as a sign that he was supposed to step aside
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
The only anxious moment arrived at the reachable par-5 15th, where Ko tugged her second shot left, toward a hazard. Jeff Babineau, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2024 So far, the mother's trial has tugged on the emotions of those in the courtroom, from the defendant to witnesses to victims' parents in attendance to even the lawyers. Selina Guevara, NBC News, 1 Feb. 2024 But the stuff that tugs at the heartstrings is what could make these devices stick. Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2024 The procedure included a lot of shaking, the skillet tugged back and forth over the heat as the corn popped. Cathy Thomas, Orange County Register, 25 Feb. 2024 The exact time of the satellite’s reentry remains unclear due to the unpredictability of solar activity, which can change the density of Earth’s atmosphere and how the atmosphere tugs on the satellite. Alexandra Banner, CNN, 20 Feb. 2024 Alongside a fairway one recent day, a white pickup truck rattled along, tugging a trailer full of concertina wire. J. David Goodman, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2024 Global issues including a slower Chinese economy or a wider Middle East conflict could tug against growth. Laurent Belsie, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Feb. 2024 Wrapped in vegan satin that provides a friction-free grip, Kitsch’s set miniature rods won’t tug on thick or textured hair. Jenny Berg, Vogue, 11 Feb. 2024
Noun
With the city in a feverish state, Surya’s characters are involved in political resistance and a tug of love. Patrick Frater, Variety, 21 Mar. 2024 The nation’s first all-electric tug boat has docked at the Port of San Diego and expects to begin emissions-free operations in about a month. Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2024 The upcoming Taycan Turbo GT makes 777 hp to start, 27 more than the current Turbo S. But with a quick tug of the right shift paddle, the Turbo GT can gain an additional 160 hp for 10-second bursts. Tim Stevens, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 2024 For nearly 60 years throughout the 20th century, there was a constant tug of war in Idaho over a vast swath of land in Central Idaho, including the Sawtooth Range. Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024 This week, the debate erupted into a public tug of war between Europe’s leading political players, Germany and France. Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Mar. 2024 Stick the pasties on your boob, lift each one with the tug of its top tab, then adhere it to your skin. Malia Griggs, Glamour, 4 Mar. 2024 Forming in 2019, the group immediately located its sound; a dreamy tug of nostalgia, catchy choruses, wrapped in jangly guitar and up-front harmonies that remind of peak MGMT — minus the synths. Lars Brandle, Billboard, 20 Feb. 2024 Every dog and cat at an animal shelter in Hamilton County received a special Valentine's gift basket courtesy of Physicians for Wishes and Pet Supplies Plus, a donation that not only tugs at the heartstrings but may have broken the record books. John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 14 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tug.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English tuggen; akin to Old English togian to pull — more at tow

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4a

Time Traveler
The first known use of tug was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near tug

Cite this Entry

“Tug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tug. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

tug

1 of 2 verb
tugged; tugging
1
a
: to pull hard
b
: to move by pulling hard : drag
2
: to tow with a tugboat
tugger noun

tug

2 of 2 noun
1
a
: an act or instance of tugging : pull
b
: a strong pulling force
2
: a struggle between two people or forces
3

Medical Definition

tug

More from Merriam-Webster on tug

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!