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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
In 1846, scientists had observed irregularities in Uranus’ orbit, as if an invisible counterweight were tugging on the planet from the far side. Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024 The Trump era has twisted and tugged at the county’s social fabric, so much so that the answers to basic questions about what is true and who can be trusted no longer appear certain. Clare Malone, The New Yorker, 31 Oct. 2024
Noun
In this polarizing election climate, watch for the four biases that Harris will most likely face as the first woman of color to run for president in the U.S.: the tightrope, maternal wall, prove it again and tug of war biases. Julie Kratz, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024 Kneeling before me, a genderless cutie in a leather dog mask begs for another round of rope tug. Bae Leche, refinery29.com, 3 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tug 

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 25 Nov. 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
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