Pry — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈprī/

Meaning & Definition of Pry

Pry (verb)

  1. to look closely or inquisitively; also, to make a nosy or presumptuous inquiry
  2. to raise, move, or pull apart with a lever, prize
  3. to extract, detach, or open with difficulty

Pry (noun)

  1. a tool for prying
  2. leverage

Pry (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to raise, move, or pull apart with or as if with a lever

    "it took some effort to pry up the trap door"

    similar: jimmy, lever, prize
    related: elevate, hoist, lift, uplift, break, break up, detach, disengage, disjoin, divide, part, pull, separate, shift
    near: connect, join

  2. to draw out by force or with effort

    "a vain attempt to pry the cork out of a wine bottle"

    similar: corkscrew, extract, prize, pull, root (out), tear (out), uproot, wrest, wring, yank
    related: mine, pluck, remove, take (out), withdraw
    near: implant, insert, install, instill, cram, jam, ram, stuff, wedge

  3. to interest oneself in what is not one's concern

    "don't go prying into other people's business"

    similar: butt in, interfere, interlope, intermeddle, intrude, meddle, mess, muck (about or around), nose, obtrude, poke, snoop
    related: intercede, interpose, intervene, barge (in), chisel (in), encroach, infringe, invade, trespass, fiddle, fool, monkey, play, tamper
    near: avoid, eschew, shun, disregard, ignore, neglect, overlook

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Pry

The most common words with a similar meaning to Pry:

jimmy, lever, prize, corkscrew, extract, pull, root (out), tear (out), uproot, wrest, wring, yank, butt in, interfere, interlope, intermeddle, intrude, meddle, mess, muck (about or around), nose, obtrude, poke, snoop

Related Words for Pry

elevate, hoist, lift, uplift, break, break up, detach, disengage, disjoin, divide, part, separate, shift, mine, pluck, remove, take (out), withdraw, intercede, interpose, intervene, barge (in), chisel (in), encroach, infringe, invade, trespass, fiddle, fool, monkey

Near Antonyms of Pry

connect, join, implant, insert, install, instill, cram, jam, ram, stuff, wedge, avoid, eschew, shun, disregard, ignore, neglect, overlook

Word Forms of Pry

Inflections: pried, prying

Origin & Etymology of Pry

Middle English prien

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Pry

What does "Pry" mean?

"Pry" means to look closely or inquisitively; also, to make a nosy or presumptuous inquiry. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to look closely or inquisitively; also, to make a nosy or presumptuous inquiry. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Pry"?

Other words for "Pry" include jimmy, lever, prize, corkscrew, extract, pull, root (out) and tear (out). The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Pry" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Pry"?

There are 56 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Pry". Common alternatives include jimmy, lever, prize, corkscrew, extract, pull, root (out), tear (out), uproot and wrest.

How do you use "Pry" in a sentence?

Examples of "Pry" in a sentence: "it took some effort to pry up the trap door"; "a vain attempt to pry the cork out of a wine bottle"; "don't go prying into other people's business".

Is "Pry" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Pry" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Pry"?

"Pry" is pronounced /ˈprī/.

What is the origin of the word "Pry"?

"Pry" comes from Middle English prien. First known use: 14th century.

What is another word for "Pry" meaning "to raise, move, or pull apart with or as if with a lever"?

When "Pry" (verb) means to raise, move, or pull apart with or as if with a lever, synonyms include jimmy, lever and prize.