yank

[ yangk ]

/ yæŋk /

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See synonyms for yank on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with or without object)

to pull or remove abruptly and vigorously: Yank down on the bell rope. He was yanked out of school.

noun

an abrupt, vigorous pull; jerk.

OTHER WORDS FOR yank

1 pluck, tug, tear.

See synonyms for yank on Thesaurus.com

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of yank

First recorded in 1810–20; origin uncertain

Words nearby yank

yang tao, Yangtze, Yangtze River, Yangzhou, Yanina, yank, Yankee, Yankee bond, Yankeedom, Yankee Doodle, “Yankee Doodle Dandy”

Other definitions for yank (2 of 2)

Yank

[ yangk ]

/ yæŋk /

noun, adjective Informal.

Yankee.

Origin of Yank

An Americanism dating back to 1770–80; shortened form

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use yank in a sentence

The book, edited by former Yank magazine art director Art Weithas, featured visual art from the war and was a best seller.
Blood in the Sand: When James Jones Wrote a Grunt’s View of D-Day|James Jones|November 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A caveat: the networks have been known to yank a few before they even make it on the air.
Fall-Winter TV Preview: Snap Judgments of 2013–14’s New Shows|Jace Lacob, Kevin Fallon|July 16, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Fleet Street commentary at the time described him as the “pushy Yank” who became a celebrity out of sheer force of personality.
America’s Power Brothers: Ezekiel Emanuel on the Famous Three|Lloyd Grove|April 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
It was simply, we don't like this piece of art, so we are going to yank your city funding.
Offensive Art: Those Were the Days|Michael Tomasky|March 28, 2013|DAILY BEAST

But let's give Lapid the benefit of the doubt, at least before we yank it back.
How Yair Lapid's Gambit Ends|Bernard Avishai|March 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST
"I'll bet yo 'un a hoss I ken put a ball through that Yank's heart at fifty paces," he roared.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn
"Never teched the Yank or tree, either," and he kicked up his heels like a young colt.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn
Chief of the Yank-ton band, and principal orator of the nation; his body curiously tattooed.
Adventures of the Ojibbeway and Ioway Indians in England, France, and Belgium; Vol. I (of 2)|George Catlin
I'm a good enough Yank to see if your dinky police is such an all-fired cute little bunch of wonder-workers as you say!
Murder in Any Degree|Owen Johnson
“I reckon the ‘Little Yank’ has called your death sentence, pardner,” said one of the Confederates, roughly.
A Daughter of the Union|Lucy Foster Madison

British Dictionary definitions for yank (1 of 2)

yank

/ (jæŋk) /

verb

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

noun

a sharp jerking movement; tug

Word Origin for yank

C19: of unknown origin

British Dictionary definitions for yank (2 of 2)

Yank

/ (jæŋk) /

noun

a slang word for an American

US informal short for Yankee

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

yank

OTHER WORDS FOR yank

Origin of yank

Words nearby yank

Other definitions for yank (2 of 2)

Origin of Yank

Words related to yank

How to use yank in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for yank (1 of 2)

Word Origin for yank

British Dictionary definitions for yank (2 of 2)