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
Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 11 July 2025
The pull between wanting to help and needing to protect her own family’s resources became clear after a recent incident.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 10 July 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
The tension between the lower strings and the wind instruments evokes a yawning pull between earth and sky, punctuated by swelling grandeur, cascading passages, and finely articulated details that surface throughout the piece.
—Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 11 July 2025
The pull between wanting to help and needing to protect her own family’s resources became clear after a recent incident.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pull
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pull
Verb
-
Its employees pick up furniture in its delivery vans and use a proprietary network of carriers to bring it to customers, giving it an edge over platforms where buyers need to haul furniture from the sellers’ homes.—
Elaine Pofeldt,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
-
And an integrated rear rack is rated to haul up to 75 lb (34 kg) of shopping or gear (or pooch with the addition of an optional carrier).—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
12 July 2025
Verb
-
In June, the average job search stretched to 23 weeks, or nearly six months.—
Julia Korn,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
-
North of the Arctic Circle, the seven main islands stretch across more than 100 miles of wild, pristine landscape.—
Phil Thomas,
Travel + Leisure,
15 July 2025
Noun
-
Their ordeal tugs at every family that ever dropped a kiddo off with bug spray, stamped envelopes and hope.—
Bill Weir,
CNN Money,
14 July 2025
-
The tug of war over deportations reflects a broader shift in U.S. immigration policy, where enforcement is increasingly intersecting with international diplomacy.—
Antonio Maria Delgado
July 11,
Miami Herald,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
Palace had argued that Textor does not have decisive influence at the club because his investment in Palace only entitles him to the same 25% voting rights held by fellow co-owners Steve Parish, David Blitzer and Josh Harris.—
Robert Olsen,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
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However, the evidence is mixed; researchers think larger studies are needed to understand caffeine's influence on this condition.15 What Are the Potential Downsides of Cloud Coffee?—
Mark Gurarie,
Verywell Health,
15 July 2025
Noun
-
Such facilities have flocked to the state for its competitive operating costs, low natural disaster risk and strong fiber infrastructure, among other advantages.—
Sasha Hupka,
AZCentral.com,
25 July 2025
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For one, coordinated destruction of data centers would require simultaneous strikes across dozens of countries, any one of which could refuse and gain massive strategic advantage.—
Kevin Williams,
CNBC,
24 July 2025
Verb
-
Charlie's sudden, grotesque exit becomes the catalyst for the rest of the film, dragging her family down a relentless tailspin of grief (and ancestral demons).—
James Mercadante,
EW.com,
23 July 2025
-
The season ends with Sophie dragging Kyle’s body through the woods and to the edge of a cliff, dropping it in the water below.—
Melissa Locker,
Time,
23 July 2025
Verb
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Rivera fired his Taser at Feliz, then got into the car on the passenger’s side and threatened to shoot Rivera as a physical struggle ensued, according to body camera footage, as another officer attempted to yank Feliz out of the vehicle.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
11 July 2025
-
Squirrels love to yank new plants out of the ground.—
Paul Cappiello,
The Courier-Journal,
11 July 2025
Verb
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This growing skepticism means that obvious AI usage could hurt your chances, even if the content quality is high.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
20 July 2025
-
Angela, visibly hurt, calls her out—and for once, everyone agrees.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
20 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pull.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pull. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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