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
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
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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
-
Bade Boutique Hotel Bade Boutique Hotel is one of the best options for budget travelers looking to stretch their dollar as far as possible.—
Kaitlyn McInnis,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
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In this region, sprawling channel networks stretch from the highlands and drain into ancient lakes — possibly even an ocean.—
Victoria Corless,
Space.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Duke of Cornwall) watched a team building exercise — tug of war! — and met with young farmers making up the next generation.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
26 Mar. 2025
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There’s a kind of implicit prayer in this that the withering of today’s Hollywood system is a presage for something better, giving the entire production a painful, nostalgic quality that tugs at your chest even as what unfolds before you is remarkably dumb.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Advocacy, messaging and partnerships must go where the influence is moving.—
Toby Wong,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
-
Sports betting operators have no influence over newsroom coverage.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The District 3 race could also play a key role on whether Mahan successfully implements his policy agenda over the next year, as his bloc currently holds a slim voting advantage on the dais that could shift if Quevedo does not win the seat.—
Devan Patel,
Mercury News,
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
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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
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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
Verb
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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
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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 29 Apr. 2025.
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