yank

¹

[yangk]

verb (used with or without object)

1. to pull or remove abruptly and vigorously.

   Yank down on the bell rope. He was yanked out of school.

   Synonyms: tear, tug, pluck

noun

1. an abrupt, vigorous pull; jerk.

Yank

²

[yangk]

noun

Informal.

1. Yankee.

Yank

¹

/ jæŋk /

noun

1. a slang word for an American

2. informal,  short for Yankee

yank

²

/ jæŋk /

verb

1. to pull, jerk, or move with a sharp movement; tug

noun

1. a sharp jerking movement; tug

Word History and Origins

Origin of yank¹

First recorded in 1810–20; origin uncertain

Origin of yank²

An Americanism dating back to 1770–80; shortened form

Word History and Origins

Origin of yank¹

C19: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

The U.S. also hasn’t yanked the license that allows Chevron to pump oil in Venezuela—one of the country’s most important sources of revenue.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

"You should try to reform before you yank your way out because inevitably there could be cost to doing so," he argues.

Read more on BBC

As the criminals angrily described it to the BBC, "they yanked their own plug - tanking sales, burning logistics, and torching shareholder value".

Read more on BBC

Foreign policy becomes an instrument of naked personal despotism, with favors bestowed on those who burnish the leader’s vanity, and yanked away from those who decline to do so.

Read more on Salon

McDonald yanked the plane from an upright position and tumbled over into a glide, drawing gasps that transformed into cheers.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• jerk 
• snap 
• snatch 
• tear 
• tug 
• wrench