tug
Americanverb (used with object)
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tugs,
present (3rd person singular)
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tugged,
past participle, past
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tugging
present participle
verb (used without object)
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tugs,
present (3rd person singular)
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tugged,
past participle, past
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tugging
present participle
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to pull with force or effort.
to tug at a stuck drawer.
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to strive hard; labor; toil.
noun
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tugs
plural
verb
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to pull or drag with sharp or powerful movements
the boy tugged at the door handle
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(tr) to tow (a vessel) by means of a tug
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(intr) to work; toil
noun
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a strong pull or jerk
he gave the rope a tug
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Also called: tugboat, towboat. a boat with a powerful engine, used for towing barges, ships, etc
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a hard struggle or fight
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a less common word for trace 2
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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tugsimple
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tugssimple
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have tuggedperfect
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has tuggedperfect
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am tuggingprogressive
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are tuggingprogressive
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is tuggingprogressive
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have been tuggingperfect progressive
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has been tuggingperfect progressive
Past
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tuggedsimple
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had tuggedperfect
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was tuggingprogressive
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were tuggingprogressive
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had been tuggingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of tug
1175–1225; Middle English toggen to play-wrestle, contend; akin to Old English togian to tow 1
Explanation
To tug is to forcefully pull or drag something. You might need your sister's help to tug your knee-high boots off at the end of a long day. A child might tug at his parent's arm and a commuter might tug a rolling suitcase behind her as she enters a subway car. Something else that tugs is a tugboat — and tug is a common nickname for these boats that are designed to pull (or push) other vessels. Tug and tow share the same root word meaning "to pull" or "to lead."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Positive trainers, he said, can tug at heartstrings by promising that everything can be fixed without punishments.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 27, 2026
Rayan Cherki: Often crowded out by Villa's midfield and booked for a frustrated tug on Manzambi.
From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2026
When it comes to the future direction of the global economy there is a bit of a tug of war going on.
From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026
AI agents may give everyday shoppers an edge, but the technology is igniting an even more intense tug of war over consumer dollars.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 8, 2026
I see Dziusia tug on a stranger’s sleeve and ask a question.
From "The Light in Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron
"Touch wood, no. I've been very, very close. It's this that frightens them", he tugs his orange vest.
From BBC ● Mar. 16, 2026
You’re doing fine, but something tugs at you from deep within.
From MarketWatch ● Jan. 7, 2026
Best among them is the picture of a woman who tugs on a goat’s hooves, the animal largely out of frame, struggling against its weight as she grips a blade between her teeth.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 12, 2025
Tightness in the hamstrings tugs on the pelvis and can lead to buttocks and lower back pain and may put you at risk for tearing the hamstring when running or participating in sports.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 11, 2025
The dogs knew this meant we were going to head home so they got up and started slamming against the tugs, trying to get the sled to move.
From "Woodsong" by Gary Paulsen
One decision tugged at another, and by the time I checked out, dinner had become rigatoni with chicken, spinach and sun-dried tomato sauce.
From Salon ● Aug. 20, 2026
The incident appeared to have tugged on something much deeper.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 8, 2026
The Acme plunged into a ditch in Ohio and was tugged out by a passing trolley.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 21, 2026
After a goalless first half, the game sparked into life when Manchester United were awarded a penalty after Alex Jimenez needlessly tugged back Matheus Cunha inside the box.
From BBC ● Mar. 20, 2026
One eye opened a bit more than was usual, and the other closed halfway; he cocked his head to the side and tugged fiercely at his chin.
From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood
That size and athleticism often leaves defenders with no recourse but tugging, grabbing and hanging onto Smith for dear life.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026
After tugging his short shot at history left of the hole, Herbert bent over in disappointment before composing himself to tap in.
From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026
It refers to the way a rotating black hole twists the spacetime around it, tugging on nearby matter such as stars and causing their paths to wobble.
From Science Daily ● Dec. 18, 2025
The starchy pasta water, slowly whisked in, binds it all into a sauce that clings and stretches, tugging at each bite with just enough tension to remind you that this is pasta, not soup.
From Salon ● Dec. 18, 2025
She drew a lock of hair off my face and looped it behind my ear, tugging the end of it gently.
From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu
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