1
as in pull
the act or an instance of applying force on something so that it moves in the direction of the force
a quick pluck pulled the hair right out
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in courage
the strength of mind that enables a person to endure pain or hardship
it takes pluck to survive a crippling car accident and still go on to become successful
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to squeeze
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
the Internet opened up a whole new medium for con artists to pluck the gullible
Synonyms & Similar Words
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of pluck
PCMAG, 8 Aug. 2024
The opening acoustic guitar plucks receive a good sense of resonance and clean, clear string texture.
—PCMAG, 10 July 2024
William Harwood, CBS News, 17 Jan. 2025
However, anxious cats might also lick or pluck to cope with the stress.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for pluck 
Noun
The opening acoustic guitar plucks have little low-mid resonance or string texture in the higher frequencies.
—PCMAG, 8 Aug. 2024
The opening acoustic guitar plucks receive a good sense of resonance and clean, clear string texture.
—PCMAG, 10 July 2024
Verb
SpaceX The Super Heavy first stage chalked up a successful mission, boosting the Starship upper stage out of the lower atmosphere, then flipping around and flying back to seaside firing stand where it was plucked out of mid air by giant mechanical arms on the launch tower.
—William Harwood, CBS News, 17 Jan. 2025
However, anxious cats might also lick or pluck to cope with the stress.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for pluck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pluck
Noun
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Apart from its versatility, the librarian cut's real pull comes down to its individuality and making a feature of the heft a cowlick offers.—
Fiona Embleton,
Glamour,
25 Jan. 2025
-
As Mintel points out, nostalgia adds an extra layer of emotional pull.—
Stephanie Gravalese,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
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What sets Chappell apart is her courage to be herself in every sense: her honesty, her individuality, and her commitment to creating meaningful music.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
EW.com,
21 Jan. 2025
-
By using universal themes—service, courage, and shared purpose—these leaders spoke to the core of human experience.—
Scott Hutcheson,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Jair Bolsonaro’s Stay-Out-of-Jail Card: The former Brazilian president, squeezed by criminal investigations, is looking to Trump, Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg to shift his nation’s politics — and maybe keep him a free man.—
Ruth Maclean,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2025
-
Use a fire extinguisher by pulling the pin, aiming at the base of the fire, squeezing the lever slowly and sweeping the nozzle side to side For a grease fire, try to cover the flames with a lid or pan to snuff them out.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Offerings include arts and crafts, caber toss, the haggis hurl, sheaf toss and tug of war in a non-competitive environment.—
Patrick Connolly,
Orlando Sentinel,
17 Jan. 2025
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Investors expect volatility in the flagship cryptocurrency this year, with bitcoin stuck in a tug of war between investors’ concerns about rising inflation under Trump and their optimism over the his pro-crypto leadership.—
Tanaya Macheel,
CNBC,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The beauty community in Los Angeles has a lot of grit and gumption—a lot of very smart and savvy people who are business-minded as well as artistically-minded.—
Allure Editors,
Allure,
17 Jan. 2025
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The menu takes guests on a culinary journey through Appalachia and the South with dishes like smoked trout hush puppies and roasted halibut with grits and andouille vinaigrette.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
15 Jan. 2025
Verb
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One day later Miami would kick off its plans for 2025 right by landing former Georgia starting quarterback Carson Beck in the transfer portal (more on that in a bit), but, still, this Orange Bowl had to sting Cristobal over all that might have been.—
Greg Cote,
Miami Herald,
10 Jan. 2025
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That loss hurt, of course, and losing the Super Bowl this time around would sting, too.—
Vahe Gregorian,
Kansas City Star,
6 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The resulting specs: 434 ponies and 525 lb-ft of yank.—
Sean Evans,
Robb Report,
30 Oct. 2024
-
With tugs and yanks and positive feedback, a planetary makeover began that is rampant today.—
Stephen Pyne,
Scientific American,
16 Apr. 2024
Noun
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Scientists who study resilience in nature say the memory of one trauma helps build fortitude against the next trauma.—
Somini Sengupta,
New York Times,
19 Jan. 2025
-
Robles’ underdog story involves coaches, teammates, siblings and his loyal mom, Judy (played by Jennifer Lopez), helping a young Anthony navigate self-doubt, a troubled home life and those who underestimate his fortitude.—
Brian Truitt,
USA TODAY,
16 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Pluck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pluck. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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