yank

[ yangk ]

/ yæŋk /

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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

QUIZ

ALL IN FAVO(U)R OF THIS BRITISH VS. AMERICAN ENGLISH QUIZ

There's an ocean of difference between the way people speak English in the US vs. the UK. Are your language skills up to the task of telling the difference? Let's find out!

Question 1 of 7

True or false? British English and American English are only different when it comes to slang words.

true

false

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of yank

First recorded in 1810–20; origin uncertain

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

Up and down the plane I heard the slap of blinders yanked down over the windows while the rest of us eagerly took in the view.
The Life and Hard Times Of The Family A Cuban Defector Left Behind|Brin-Jonathan Butler|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Two Ukrainian journalists were recently yanked out of taxis and beaten savagely, one shot in the chest and killed.
Ukraine Is On the Verge Of War And Putin Is To Blame|Michael Weiss|February 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The uber addictive game (the biggest time water of 2014) was yanked from app stores after its creator, Don Nguyen, had had enough.
An iPhone With Flappy Bird Was Selling For $100,000 on eBay|Marina Watts|February 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His conception of the absolute, he thought, could be yanked in to save people from themselves.
In A Very Deep Way: Remembering Rabbi David Hartman|Bernard Avishai|February 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST

It is difficult to know why this particular attack has yanked South Africans out of their complacency.
South Africa Rallies Against Fatal Gang Rape|Eusebius McKaiser|February 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He kicked me in the chest and the warrior yanked on the cord and threw me down on my face and all but strangled me.
A Virginia Scout|Hugh Pendexter
The third cabin, the one occupied by the Dales, burst into flames as I was being yanked into the first fringe of bushes.
A Virginia Scout|Hugh Pendexter
They yanked me around in behind the squad, and told me they'd shave my head and drum me out o' camp.
Si Klegg, Book 2 (of 6)|John McElroy
He yanked off the cover, losing most of a fingernail in the process, and removed the fuse.
The Status Civilization|Robert Sheckley
Barrent tried to keep his grip on the arm, but it was yanked away.
The Status Civilization|Robert Sheckley

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

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)