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
Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 2 July 2024
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
Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 May 2025
On Wednesday, May 14, a Czech climber was plucked off the mountain by a helicopter using a long-line winch system.
—Ben Ayers, Outside Online, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pluck
Noun
So when her bogus application is accepted into NASA’s super competitive astronaut training program, Rex needs luck and plenty of pluck to avoid elimination.
—Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 2 July 2024
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
Verb
Cardwell is the eighth player the Aztecs have plucked from the portal in recent weeks.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 May 2025
On Wednesday, May 14, a Czech climber was plucked off the mountain by a helicopter using a long-line winch system.
—Ben Ayers, Outside Online, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pluck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pluck
Noun
-
There is a magnetic pull from Portugal to United, and Amorim’s move to Manchester strengthened that connection.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
-
Use it to review pull requests, write unit tests, generate UI variations or polish copy.—
Kunal Abichandani,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
Noun
-
But any single act of courage might shift the trajectory of your life —or that of others.—
Margie Warrell,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
-
This is where the first-responder physio plays a critical role — staying vigilant, trusting their training and instincts, and having the courage to make the tough decision to remove a player when necessary.—
Geoff Scott,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
Verb
-
Umberto Rispoli squeezed between horses around the top of the stretch and then rode Journalism to a tremendous rally.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
24 May 2025
-
Martinez’s son squeezed the trigger five times, shooting Rivera to death and wounding two others, the detective wrote in the affidavit.—
Matthew Ormseth,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2025
Noun
-
The tug was one of the largest and most powerful on the Great Lakes, with a 670-horsepower engine.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
16 May 2025
-
The tug served multiple purposes beyond moving lumber, including transporting railway cars.—
Todd Richmond,
Twin Cities,
16 May 2025
Noun
-
But new life and civilizations await, including a villain that will test our characters’ grit and resolve.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
15 May 2025
-
Because buried underneath all the playoff grit and defensive toughness is a generational offensive weapon — one who can shift a game, a series, even a season with the flick of a wrist.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2025
Verb
-
Suarez is getting stung here and there, but the last two rounds the challenger is landing a bit cleaner.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2025
-
Additionally, getting stung by an Asian needle ant can be dangerous due to the life-threatening anaphylaxis that a sting can trigger.—
Lauren Thomann,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 May 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
-
At the time, videos of motivational speakers and clips focused on mental fortitude became a regular part of his life.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
13 May 2025
-
The word cowboy itself was used in a derogatory way to describe the former slaves as 'boys,' ... destroying the negative connotation, what remains is the strength and resiliency of these men who were the true definition of Western fortitude.—
Alex Gonzalez,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pluck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pluck. Accessed 31 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share