pluck 1 of 2

noun

Definition of plucknext
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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

pluck

2 of 2

verb

ˈplək How to pronounce pluck (audio)
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

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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
Noun
When those practitioners are taken away from patients, our pluck and determination waver. — Mindy Uhrlaub, STAT, 16 Mar. 2026 Often described as America’s most famous female tiger trainer, the Tiger Queen was renowned for her pluck and charisma. — Alessandro Meregaglia, The Conversation, 3 Mar. 2026
Verb
After forming a yellow pool in the river, the ducks floated for around 15 minutes before a winner and runner-up were plucked from the water. — Cybele Mayes-Osterman, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026 In the 35th minute of their second match, against Egypt, Temwa plucked a high ball out of the air, spun around a defender, and found the feet of fellow phenom Rose Kadzere. — Ryan Lenora Brown, Christian Science Monitor, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pluck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pluck
  1. pull
  2. courage
  3. squeeze
  4. tug
  5. grit
  6. sting
  7. yank
  8. fortitude
Noun
  • Io is repeatedly squeezed and stretched by Jupiter and the gravitational pulls of neighboring moons Europa and Ganymede.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 11 Aug. 2026
  • And then the whole ecosystem around them, there's just a massive pull sucking sound for anything that can help build those things out more cost-effectively, more efficiently.
    — Alan Ohnsman, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of pull
Noun
  • None of this would exist without the ones who came before us, that first generation that had the courage to leave everything behind.
    — Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Leadership roles or intimidating pivots that require you to have courage are no exception.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of courage
Verb
  • Cheap electric cars dominate one end of the market, Tesla occupies the premium end, and the middle is getting squeezed.
    — Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Washington is trying to choke Iran's ability to get its crude out while Tehran is squeezing the artery through which everybody else's crude gets through.
    — Frank Andrews, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of squeeze
Noun
  • True to the messy nature of a break-up, the 14-song track list mirrors all of the tug and pull phases of heartbreak.
    — Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2026
  • This one includes an 83-foot hose (78 feet of retractable hose and a 5-foot lead) that automatically rewinds with a simple tug.
    — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of tug
Noun
  • The city has a grit to it; everyone moves with a sense of urgency and purpose.
    — Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Aug. 2026
  • In 2026, the BMW XM is the flagship SUV for consumers in the German market and the XM rises over the competition with grit, power and style.
    — Marc D. Grasso, Boston Herald, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of grit
Verb
  • February 19 – March 20 Your words may show where being misunderstood still stings.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The pair were stung more than 150 times each and airlifted to the hospital.
    — Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of sting
Noun
  • The yanks are coming, the yanks are coming!
    — Kirk Bowman, The Conversation, 9 June 2026
  • Connie Lansdown, the hysterectomy patient, watches the storm yank a man from a reclining chair and drag him down the hall.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 22 May 2026
Definition of yank
Noun
  • But, deciding to still move forward with their round of golf knowing the boss would find out at some point took fortitude.
    — Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The five points of the star represent the characteristics of a good citizen, which are fortitude, loyalty, righteousness, prudence, and broadmindedness.
    — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 July 2026
Definition of fortitude

Browse Nearby Words

ploys
pluck
plucked
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Cite this Entry

“Pluck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pluck. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of pluck for Spanish Speakers

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