tug

1 of 3

verb

ˈtəg 

tugged; tugging

intransitive verb

1

: to pull hard

2

: to struggle in opposition : contend

3

: to exert oneself laboriously : labor

transitive verb

1

: to pull or strain hard at

2

a

: to move by pulling hard : haul

b

: to carry with difficulty : lug

3

: to tow with a tugboat

tugger noun

tug

2 of 3

noun

1

a

: an act or instance of tugging : pull

b

: a strong pulling force

2

a

: a straining effort

b

: a struggle between two people or opposite forces

3

: tugboat

4

a

: trace entry 3 sense 1

b

: a short leather strap or loop

c

: a rope or chain used for pulling

Tug

3 of 3

abbreviation

tugrik, tugriks

Synonyms

Verb

• drag
• draw
• hale
• haul
• lug
• pull
• tow

Noun

• draw
• haul
• jerk
• pluck
• pull
• wrench
• yank

Examples of tug in a Sentence

Verb

I felt someone tugging on my sleeve.

She tugged the cord until the plug came out of the wall socket.

Noun

He felt a gentle tug on his sleeve.

gave the man in front a tug on his shirtsleeve as a sign that he was supposed to step aside

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The visuals on the screen behind them showed previous performances of the song, and this synchronization of past and present tugged at the audience’s heartstrings. —Billboard Japan, Billboard, 2 Dec. 2024

At Sainsbury’s, the collaboration with Roald Dahl’s The BFG leans into nostalgia, tugging at consumers’ heartstrings with a dose of festive magic. —Kate Hardcastle, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Noun

Across its eight tracks, Knox bares all about the intimate lifecycle of her own seven-year relationship through spellbinding vocals that tug at the heartstrings and polished, R&B-leaning production. —Heran Mamo, Billboard, 4 Dec. 2024

The dog can sniff around and tug at its leash, but the dog walker is the one setting the pace and direction. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 26 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English tuggen; akin to Old English togian to pull — more at tow

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4a

Phrases Containing tug

• tug-of-love
• tug-of-war
• tug/pull at one's heartstrings
• tug/touch one's forelock

Kids Definition

tug

1 of 2 verb

ˈtəg 

tugged; tugging

1

a

: to pull hard

b

: to move by pulling hard : drag

2

: to tow with a tugboat

tugger noun

tug

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: an act or instance of tugging : pull

b

: a strong pulling force

2

: a struggle between two people or forces

3

: tugboat

Medical Definition

tug

see tracheal tug