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
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
-
The Dane hauled his way up the mountain, mouth contorted, back and elbows askew, willing his bike to chase.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
26 July 2025
-
Six hours later, Kim and David watched their prize hauled tail-first to the crossbeam of the scales back at Darenberg’s dock in Montauk.—
Pat Smith,
Outdoor Life,
24 July 2025
Verb
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But afterward, the musician’s fans transformed a typically morose event into a lively commemoration of life and music that stretched across Osbourne’s hometown.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
30 July 2025
-
Data unification delays can stretch 12 to 18 months post-close, stalling the very efficiencies the deal was meant to unlock.—
Dave Albano,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
Noun
-
The photographs show a tug pushing a large barge with a crane mounted on top of it.—
Carl David Goette-Luciak,
Miami Herald,
29 July 2025
-
It was given a tug from a golf cart and pulled in neutral to a grassy lot where potential buyers could place a higher bid.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
Many analysts see the dispute as a test of which superpower has more influence in this strategic part of Southeast Asia; the U.S., which conducts joint military exercises with Thailand, or China, which is the biggest trading partner of both Cambodia and Thailand.—
Kate Bartlett,
NPR,
28 July 2025
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Geographic location has a significant influence on carbon footprint, with models trained in regions with renewable energy and cooler climates exhibiting markedly lower emissions.—
Janakiram MSV,
Forbes.com,
28 July 2025
Noun
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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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The Sun’s biggest advantage remaining in Connecticut is a loyal and well-established fan base.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
24 July 2025
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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Otherwise, the state would yank funding and redirect the city’s 911 response to a third-party center.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
25 July 2025
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And remember when cohost Jenny McCarthy would yell at male players, yank their ears, and just be all-around crude on said series?—
Lindsay Soll,
EW.com,
25 July 2025
Verb
-
Angela, visibly hurt, calls her out—and for once, everyone agrees.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
20 July 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Pull.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pull. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.
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