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
Adriana Lee, WWD, 26 Nov. 2024
The opening acoustic guitar plucks get plenty of low and low-mid resonance, while strong treble response gives a clear, crisp string texture.
—PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 19 Mar. 2025
Beaufort, North Carolina This fishing village with century-old homes, idyllic marinas, and pristine beaches could be plucked from a vintage postcard.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pluck
Noun
Taking one of America’s oldest and best-known brands into the future takes more than pluck and drive.
—Adriana Lee, WWD, 26 Nov. 2024
The opening acoustic guitar plucks get plenty of low and low-mid resonance, while strong treble response gives a clear, crisp string texture.
—PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024
Verb
The Marlins selected Hicks in the Rule 5 Draft back in December, plucking him from the Detroit Tigers’ minor-league system.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 19 Mar. 2025
Beaufort, North Carolina This fishing village with century-old homes, idyllic marinas, and pristine beaches could be plucked from a vintage postcard.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pluck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pluck
Noun
-
Activities include a champagne reception with a variety of games where everyone wins a prize for their donation (for example, a $25 chance at the prize wheel will win the donor a $25 gift certificate) and a wine pull.—
Elizabeth Marie Himchak,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Apr. 2025
-
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
Noun
-
This is the untold origin of a revolution—where faith is tested, courage is forged, and the forces of darkness fight to extinguish the light.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
2 Apr. 2025
-
After 20 years, the Big Bang remains a symbol of modernity and creative courage.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Carving her own musical lane in an industry so determined to squeeze her into a box has been a challenge, but PinkPantheress isn’t one to let outside voices get to her.—
Chris Malone Méndez,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
-
Plus, this portable Bluetooth karaoke machine is small enough to squeeze into an Easter basket.—
Jacquelyn Smith,
Parents,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
For example, the sun’s gravity tugs harder on the moon than Earth’s does!—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
21 Mar. 2025
-
Aviles was slapped with a red card after a tackle in the penalty area and a shirt tug that was deemed a denial of a scoring chance for New York.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
23 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Expect grit, drama — and probably some snow metaphors.—
Julia Ranney,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
-
College admissions officers actively seek students who demonstrate grit—the ability to persevere through setbacks.—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Hit the ball too far up the handle, or off the end of the head, and the bat will flex and vibrate, transferring less energy to the ball and stinging the batter’s hands.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2025
-
Pets who have an encounter with stinging caterpillars will need a vet visit ASAP.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Four yanks later, voila: Clayton had pulled free his prize, leaving just a single strand of nylon stuck in the Alamodome rim.—
Brendan Marks,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Each blade has a pull tab at the top of its cartridge; just give it a gentle yank to remove it.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
That takes some fortitude, when world trade is on the verge of collapse, consumers are frightened and businesses can’t plan anything.—
William Baldwin,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
-
This time, logistics and luck were in my favor, and the fortitude came in handy during a dizzying three-hour ride to Himachal Pradesh, flying through hairpin turns on steep roads, as a thick mist churned over the mountains.—
Sarah Khan,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
3 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pluck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pluck. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share