tug 1 of 2

as in pull
the act or an instance of applying force on something so that it moves in the direction of the force gave the man in front a tug on his shirtsleeve as a sign that he was supposed to step aside

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

tug

2 of 2

verb

Examples Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of tug
Noun
Martin Boswell, the tug's fireman, was below deck and was carried down with the vessel. Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 21 Sep. 2024 That's because of the constant tug of gravity between the moon, Earth and sun. John Tufts, The Courier-Journal, 22 Nov. 2024
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 See all Example Sentences for tug 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tug
Noun
  • At the same time, there's something undeniably intoxicating about the pull of them being together, singing a song, snickering at inside jokes, making the kind of observations that only someone who has known you your whole life can.
    Shania Russell, EW.com, 13 Dec. 2024
  • Hype Rug pulls, where developers launch a token or DeFi project, attract investors, and then disappear with the funds, are expected to increase.
    Becca Bratcher, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Smith said hauling fossil fuels has long been a big source of their revenue, but is making up an increasingly smaller portion of their loads.
    Judith Kohler, The Denver Post, 15 Dec. 2024
  • In 1998, Moore founded a waste hauling company, Barry Moore Industries.
    The Hill, The Hill, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Her services are rooted in an experiential understanding of the matter, having served as a high-flying attorney for over two decades and struggling with burnout herself.
    Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024
  • The Terps lost eight games in 2024, struggling again in conference play under coach Mike Locksley.
    Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 12 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • 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
Verb
  • When the crime bosses checked in for their table assignments, they were arrested and dragged away so as not to tip off the next suspect.
    Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 13 Dec. 2024
  • Cruise's robotaxis had been on San Franciscan roads up until recently, following an incident in which a pedestrian was knocked under a Cruise car and dragged to the side of the street.
    Nicole Kobie, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • That became the recurring theme throughout the drive, especially when challenged by the much higher altitudes—the Kia Carnival effortlessly passed laboring trucks (and slow cars).
    Michael Harley, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
  • Intended to help those with disabilities gain employment, the law currently has about 40,000 American workers laboring for half the minimum wage or less, according to the Labor Department.
    Kate Gibson, CBS News, 4 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The processing fee is absolutely not going to the part-time delivery person, but, rather, to a rich jerk who is golfing right now.
    Meghana Indurti, The New Yorker, 3 Dec. 2024
  • Also, your character’s supposed to be kind of a jerk.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 2 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Callas always strived to make opera more accessible to the masses, and Larraín hopes to achieve the same with this film.
    Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
  • Talented golfer with disability strives to compete in able-bodied tournaments Kipp Popert has ascended to the summit of the disability golf world.
    Alexandra Banner, CNN, 10 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near tug

Cite this Entry

“Tug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tug. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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!