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Synonyms

yank

1 American  
[yangk] / yæŋk /

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 American  
[yangk] / yæŋk /

noun

Informal.

  1. Yankee.

Yank 1 British  
/ jæŋk /

noun

  1. a slang word for an American

  2. 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 2 British  
/ jæŋk /

verb

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

"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

noun

  1. a sharp jerking movement; tug

"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

Etymology

Origin of yank1

First recorded in 1810–20; origin uncertain

Origin of Yank2

An Americanism dating back to 1770–80; shortened form

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.

Before he can yank the branch from his truck’s wheel well, the adults are on top of him.

From Salon • Oct. 16, 2025

But he doesn’t want to yank the specials prematurely.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 8, 2025

The performance policy has echoes of so-called "rank and yank", which was popularised in the US by the former chief executive of General Motors Jack Welch.

From BBC • Sep. 4, 2025

He lets the witch and fairy pull the trigger cord this time; they yank so hard they topple onto their keisters.

From Slate • Jul. 7, 2025

I had to stuff the jar of raki and the packet of cherry paste under the bundles of wool on the pack mule in order to yank on Rostam’s harness with both hands.

From "The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams" by Daniel Nayeri

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.