1
as in pull
the act or an instance of applying force on something so that it moves in the direction of the force a quick pluck pulled the hair right out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in courage
the strength of mind that enables a person to endure pain or hardship it takes pluck to survive a crippling car accident and still go on to become successful
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to squeeze
to rob by the use of trickery or threats the Internet opened up a whole new medium for con artists to pluck the gullible
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pluck
Philip Elliott, Time, 26 Jan. 2026 The Warriors briefly showed some pluck in the first half against the Thunder. —Ron Kroichick, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 Jan. 2026
Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 20 Apr. 2026 Most of us know you can’t just walk onto someone’s property, pluck a ripe fig, and walk away with a sweet treat. —Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 18 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pluck
Noun
Trump is fond of Paxton’s pluck and Hunt’s ambition. —Philip Elliott, Time, 26 Jan. 2026 The Warriors briefly showed some pluck in the first half against the Thunder. —Ron Kroichick, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 Jan. 2026
Verb
For some, working with soil evokes nostalgia for childhood summers, smelling thorny roses in bloom and plucking ripe tomatoes off the vine. —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 20 Apr. 2026 Most of us know you can’t just walk onto someone’s property, pluck a ripe fig, and walk away with a sweet treat. —Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 18 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pluck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pluck
Noun
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There was also a strong pull within the group to simply stick with the original logo.— Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 17 Apr. 2026
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These pull-on pants are going to be a wardrobe staple this summer.— Claire Peltier, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The award goes to one Bears rookie and one veteran player who exemplifies the courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication and sense of humor of the late Piccolo.— Eileen T. Meslar, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
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But instead of paving the way for some good ol’ fashioned infidelity, the liquid courage causes the women to turn on each other, with the evening devolving into inebriated insults and recriminations.— Brent Lang, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Focusing on everyday shapewear, Yummie hugs instead of squeezes like traditional shapewear that can be extremely tight and constrictive.— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026
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All movies need a 45-day exclusive theatrical window, because small and mid-budget movies that hit streaming sooner are getting squeezed.— Brian Welk, IndieWire, 11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The oldest served in Alaska on the USCGC Alex Haley in the Bering Sea and is pursuing a career as a tug boat operator in Galveston.— CBS News, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
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In space, the gravitational tugs from passing planets act like those currents.— Patrick M. Shober, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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And yet … two things tend to translate, historically, from the regular season to the playoff grit and grind.— Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
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The Pistons have built their success on toughness, grit and defense — the same qualities that once defined the Magic.— Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Many hospital systems in Connecticut have stopped suing their patients over unpaid bills, stung by criticism about the harm caused by aggressive collection tactics.— Noam N. Levey, Hartford Courant, 20 Apr. 2026
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The sounds of music Copeland is used to sharing the limelight with Sting, rather than with animals that can sting.— Bill Whitaker, CBS News, 19 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Soy sauce, Maggi seasoning, daikon and shiitake mushroom yank pot roast into new territory.— Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 24 Mar. 2026
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Effectively, this turned the workspace into a yank buffer along with all your documents, and undoing any destructive editing operation thus became merely another cut and paste.— Cameron Kaiser, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The level of intense feelings that anchor the show requires mental fortitude, yes, but also open-hearted candor.— Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2026
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Still, Robinson became one of the best players of his generation, possibly of all time, showing tremendous mental fortitude to go along with his elite athleticism.— Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pluck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/pluck. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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