plug 1 of 2

verb

Definition of plugnext
1
as in to fill
to close up so that no empty spaces remain plugged the hole in the wall with putty

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to struggle
to devote serious and sustained effort plugged away at solving the math problem

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to promote
to provide publicity for the actress is giving lots of interviews to plug her latest movie

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to shoot
to strike with a missile from a gun the drug lord plugged the stool pigeon as a lesson for any others who were tempted to talk

Synonyms & Similar Words

plug

2 of 2

noun

1
as in ad

Related Words
2
as in cob

Related Words
3
as in hook

Related Words

Dissimilar 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 plug
Verb
On Thursday, workers excavated a 3-foot-by-4-foot area to find the source of the water, plugged the leak and resumed preparing the street to reopen. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026 Now, Kovar has a setup from Ford that allows drivers of certain F-150 models to plug their vehicle directly into their electric meter to power parts of their home during an outage. — Alexa St. John, Fortune, 23 July 2026
Noun
This plug protected one of the 59 screws attaching the aft heatshield to the Apollo 8 command module in December 1968. — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 16 July 2026 What gives Smith staying power on the roster is his spark-plug ability on special teams. — Kansas City Star, 11 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for plug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plug
  1. fill
  2. struggle
  3. promote
  4. shoot
  5. ad
  6. cob
  7. hook
  8. pack
Verb
  • Spoon about 1 tablespoon cream cheese mixture in the center of each square, and spread slightly to fill the smaller square while maintaining the border.
    — Torie Cox, Southern Living, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The seats were filled with families and friends all huddled underneath the shade of umbrellas to enjoy an afternoon ice cream.
    — Hali Smith August 1, Idaho Statesman, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of fill
Verb
  • On the other hand, if a teenager is struggling and isn’t involved in any activities, encourage them to explore their interests as a way of making those initial connections.
    — Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
  • New telescopes in the $50 range are usually tiny 50- to 70-millimeter refractors that struggle with faint objects.
    — Damian Peach, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of struggle
Verb
  • Veterinary experts share tips on how to care for the items that come into contact with our furry companions to promote good health and stave off odors.
    — Jolie Kerr, Washington Post, 1 Aug. 2026
  • It is commonly used in sports medicine, regenerative medicine and wellness settings with the goal of promoting the healing of tendons, ligaments, muscles and other soft tissues.
    — Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
Definition of promote
Verb
  • Colin Gray’s sentencing represents the end of a harrowing road that began with the September 2024 shooting in which his son, then 14, fatally shot two students and two teachers and injured nine others at his Winder, Georgia, high school.
    — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
  • Basically, Georgia will never be able to do anything right in Emira’s eyes, so the messenger is getting shot.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 30 July 2026
Definition of shoot
Noun
  • Further, Meta’s ad business continues to improve with impressions up 14% and ad prices rising 12% year-over-year.
    — Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Republicans campaigning in swing districts are running ads about healthcare after facing criticism of the cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
    — Rahul Mukherjee, NPR, 31 July 2026
Definition of ad
Noun
  • While corn on the cob is a no, kernels from the cob are a yes.
    — Cody Godwin, USA Today, 24 July 2026
  • Hold the corn, tip down, in the bowl, and using a sharp knife, cut straight down between the kernels and the cob, cutting as close to the cob as possible and rotating the ear about a quarter turn after each cut.
    — Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
Definition of cob
Noun
  • Extensive testing has ruled out several possible causes, including lead poisoning, cancer and metal objects such as fishing hooks.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Now, pull the main line sharply away from the hook, lure, fly, or terminal tackle.
    — Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 30 July 2026
Definition of hook
Verb
  • Once a lawyerly panel, a takeover by a trio of conservatives deeply mistrustful of the state’s voting system has turned the board’s once mundane meetings into boisterous events packed with crowds of cheering and jeering activists.
    — Tamar Hallerman, AJC.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Whipped up in only 20 minutes, it’s packed with flavor from goat cheese, walnuts, prosciutto, green apple, and loads of garlic.
    — Hannah Agran, Midwest Living, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of pack

Phrases Containing plug

Browse Nearby Words

plucky
plug
plug (away)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Plug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plug. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on plug

Nglish: Translation of plug for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about plug

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