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
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Recent Examples of pull
Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 4 Apr. 2026
Stammen is quoted in my game story (here) saying the Padres liked the matchup and that the hard contact against King is what precipitated his decision to pull the right-hander.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
Simon Akam, Vanity Fair, 2 Apr. 2026
Prettygarden 2-piece Sleeveless Jumpsuit A good travel wardrobe should include easy pull-on-and-go outfits that require no extra thought and instantly look great, and this now-$25 set checks all the boxes—and won’t wrinkle in your suitcase.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pull
Verb
Fox News Digital is reporting that Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos pulled the most experienced investigators off the case.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 4 Apr. 2026
Stammen is quoted in my game story (here) saying the Padres liked the matchup and that the hard contact against King is what precipitated his decision to pull the right-hander.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
Every round required the same limited pull.
—Simon Akam, Vanity Fair, 2 Apr. 2026
Prettygarden 2-piece Sleeveless Jumpsuit A good travel wardrobe should include easy pull-on-and-go outfits that require no extra thought and instantly look great, and this now-$25 set checks all the boxes—and won’t wrinkle in your suitcase.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pull
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pull
Verb
-
The barge was hauling concrete debris to an empty lot on Di Lido Island in Miami Beach across the bay.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Tankers hauling oil have been stuck in the Strait, impacting not only American gas prices, but energy prices around the world.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Trolley lines move across the city, stretching as far West as the Darby Transit Center and back East toward 13th street.—
Kaitlyn McCormick,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
In the courtyard, the hotel’s signature Mariposa (Spanish for butterfly) sculpture stretches overhead like a modern butterfly wing.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Scheduling tugs, fuel barges, crane operators, drayage trucks and drivers is complex indeed.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The tug of war is just starting.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In interviews with The Star, politicians, consultants and other political experts touted Graves’ ability to use his influence in Washington to bolster Kansas City’s most important projects.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Charlotte credited him and maternal grandfather Jeff Foy for being big influences on her softball path.—
Rick Armstrong,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Mullins banked in a 3-pointer in the final minute to counter a small run from the Illini and send the Huskies into the break with a 37-29 advantage.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Leading 46-44 a few minutes into the fourth quarter, South Carolina scored five straight points, capped by Makeer’s 3-pointer to extend the advantage to seven.—
Doug Feinberg,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Continue reading … EMERGENCY EASE — Trump administration steps in with rare tax relief for DHS workers as shutdown drags on.—
,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
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Several parents who spoke to The Baltimore Sun, under the condition of anonymity because of fears that the institution would retaliate against their sons, questioned why the school continues to drag its feet about bringing back Moran.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Zach Neto and Nolan Schanuel drew walks, sandwiched around a Trout single, and then Soler yanked a three-run double down the left field line.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Minnesota starter Taj Bradley struck out nine over 4 1/3 innings, but was yanked after throwing 92 pitches.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
It was later changed due to players getting hurt.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
-
However, having players of those caliber on the court, both of whom have either been to the NBA Finals or won it, certainly shouldn't hurt.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pull.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pull. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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