tug

[tuhg]

verb (used with object)

tugged, tugging 

1. to pull at with force, vigor, or effort.

   Synonyms: wrench, jerk, yank

2. to move by pulling forcibly; drag; haul.

3. to tow (a vessel) by means of a tugboat.

verb (used without object)

tugged, tugging 

1. to pull with force or effort.

   to tug at a stuck drawer.

2. to strive hard; labor; toil.

noun

1. an act or instance of tugging; pull; haul.

2. a strenuous contest between opposing forces, groups, or persons; struggle.

   the tug of young minds in a seminar.

3. tugboat.

4. that by which something is tugged, as a rope or chain.

5. (on a harness)

   1. trace.

   2. any of various supporting or pulling parts.

tug

/ tʌɡ /

verb

1. to pull or drag with sharp or powerful movements

   the boy tugged at the door handle

2. (tr) to tow (a vessel) by means of a tug

3. (intr) to work; toil

noun

1. a strong pull or jerk

   he gave the rope a tug

2. Also called: tugboat.  towboat. a boat with a powerful engine, used for towing barges, ships, etc

3. a hard struggle or fight

4. a less common word for trace 2

Other Word Forms

• tugger noun
• tugless adjective
• untugged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tug¹

1175–1225; Middle English toggen to play-wrestle, contend; akin to Old English togian to tow ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of tug¹

C13: related to Old English tēon to _tow ¹

Example Sentences

Omar Fateh steadied himself before the camera and flashed a smile between heavy blinks, the weight of a nearly sleepless night tugging at his eyelids.

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Michelle Obama got stuck in with a sports day event, even doing the tug of the war alongside some famous spectators.

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Still, it tugs on a topical issue within its comedy.

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They ran into every argument and counterargument that have tugged, pulled and paralyzed other communities.

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I soon learned that it’s impossible to tug on the “ropes” of sails with just the tips of my fingers to vainly try to protect my fresh mani.

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