1
2
as in to pry
to draw out by force or with effort
the dentist had to struggle to pull the tooth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in tug
the act or an instance of applying force on something so that it moves in the direction of the force
I gave the door such a pull that when it suddenly opened, I nearly fell backwards
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in influence
the power to direct the thinking or behavior of others usually indirectly
their lawyer supposedly has a lot of pull with the administration in Washington
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in advantage
the more favorable condition or position in a competition
a political candidate with all of the pull that comes with a vast fortune and famous surname
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of pull
Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 3 Feb. 2023
As ghosts, fate and the sheer power of true love pull Nicholas and Isabel together, so too does life threaten to tear them apart.
—Alex Ritman, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Jan. 2023
Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 1 Apr. 2025
Just as living organisms must actively resist merging into their environment to survive, companies must resist the gravitational pull of conformity to remain unique and competitive.
—Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pull
Verb
During the event, Riley wore black boots, a black dress, held a black and gold bag, and rocked a pair of massive gold hoops to pull it all together.
—Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 3 Feb. 2023
As ghosts, fate and the sheer power of true love pull Nicholas and Isabel together, so too does life threaten to tear them apart.
—Alex Ritman, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Jan. 2023
Noun
Containing around 400 powerful volcanoes, Io is influenced by Jupiter’s gravitational pull and the pull of the planet’s other moons.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 1 Apr. 2025
Just as living organisms must actively resist merging into their environment to survive, companies must resist the gravitational pull of conformity to remain unique and competitive.
—Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pull
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pull
Verb
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Everything appeared to be playing into United’s hands as the match wore on, but with 20 minutes of normal time remaining, Corentin Tolisso’s header hauled Lyon back into the contest.—
George Ramsay,
CNN Money,
18 Apr. 2025
-
The top 2 feet of dirt at the Michigan Avenue site was scraped off and hauled away because of contamination from lead paint peelings from the houses that once stood there.—
Mike Hendricks,
Kansas City Star,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Dark hardwood floors stretch over to the formal dining area, which sits opposite the chef’s kitchen.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
10 Apr. 2025
-
The traditional home for North Atlantic right whales (all 370 of them) stretches along the East Coast, from New England to the Southeastern U.S., NOAA says.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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For example, the sun’s gravity tugs harder on the moon than Earth’s does!—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
21 Mar. 2025
-
Aviles was slapped with a red card after a tackle in the penalty area and a shirt tug that was deemed a denial of a scoring chance for New York.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
23 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
That economic footprint is matched by political and organizational influence.—
Ronak D. Desai,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
-
Wisconsin Supreme Court Race Wisconsin's Supreme Court race has shattered fundraising records and drawn major out-of-state influence.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Atlanta took advantage, with Trae Young driving for a layup to tie the score at 106 with 1.3 seconds remaining and force overtime.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
19 Apr. 2025
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Even as Liverpool have spluttered and stuttered, Mikel Arteta’s side have doggedly refused to take advantage, declining to ignite the thing as a contest.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The longer the trade war drags on, the more likely Washington and Beijing will find other ways to retaliate beyond economics.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Paleontologists used to wonder if some marine reptiles did the same, awkwardly dragging themselves onto beaches to lay eggs rather than birthing their young at sea like whales do.—
Riley Black,
Smithsonian Magazine,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Kelly, the lifeguard, jumped off her perch and yanked Harel back, toward the lockers, by the hair.—
Adam Levin,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2025
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And when he’s actually pulled away and thrown into the back of a cab, Kilmer’s exit is as unceremonious as a cable yanked out from an amp, leaving viewers drifting along the film’s woozy currents.—
Beatrice Loayza,
The Atlantic,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Draisaitl has played three games since getting hurt against Utah on March 18.—
Daniel Nugent-Bowman,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
-
By the time a tooth starts hurting, the problem is usually more advanced, requiring more extensive treatment.—
Towncare Dental,
Miami Herald,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pull.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pull. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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