Tug — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun abbreviation /ˈtəg/

Meaning & Definition of Tug

Tug (verb)

  1. to pull hard
  2. to struggle in opposition, contend
  3. to exert oneself laboriously, labor

Tug (noun)

  1. an act or instance of tugging, pull
  2. a strong pulling force
  3. a straining effort

Tug (abbreviation)

  1. tugrik, tugriks

Tug (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the act or an instance of applying force on something so that it moves in the direction of the force

    "gave the man in front a tug on his shirtsleeve as a sign that he was supposed to step aside"

    similar: draw, haul, jerk, pluck, pull, wrench, yank
    related: drag, tow, hitch, twitch, grab, snatch
    opposite: push
    near: heave, shove, thrust

Tug (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to cause to follow by applying steady force on

    "tugged on the door until it opened"

    similar: drag, draw, hale, haul, lug, pull, tow
    related: attract, heave, jerk, yank, carry, convey, ferry, move, transport
    opposite: drive, propel, push
    near: shove, thrust

  2. to devote serious and sustained effort

    "she's tugged all her life to get to where she is now in the business world"

    similar: bang away, beaver (away), dig (away), drudge, endeavor, fag, grub, hump, hustle, labor, moil, peg (away), plod, plow, plug, slave, slog, strain, strive, struggle, sweat, toil, travail, work, sweat blood
    related: apply (oneself), buckle (down), dig in, hammer (away), knuckle down, pitch in, attack, drive, essay, try, exercise, exert, overexert, overwork, eke out, grind (out), put out, scrabble, scratch, trudge, wade
    near: break, ease (up), let up, slacken, bum, chill, dally, dillydally, footle, goldbrick, goof (off), hack (around), hang (around or out), idle, laze, loaf, lounge, shirk, slack (off), veg out, bask, loll, relax, repose, rest, unwind, dabble, doodle, fool around, fribble, goof (around), hang, hang about (British), mess around, monkey (around), play, potter (around), putter (around), trifle

Related Entry: Tug-of-war (noun)

Tug-of-war is a different word from Tug. The synonyms below are for tug-of-war, not for tug.

  1. an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another

    "the effort to get their teenage son to keep his room clean is a constant tug-of-war"

    similar: ball game, battle, combat, competition, conflict, confrontation, contention, contest, dogfight, duel, face-off, grapple, match, rivalry, strife, struggle, sweepstakes, war, warfare
    related: horse race, nail-biter, showdown, clash, collision, discord, friction, argument, controversy, debate, disagreement, disputation, dispute, dissension, quarrel, row, wrangle
    near: concord, harmony, peace

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Tug

The most common words with a similar meaning to Tug:

draw, haul, jerk, pluck, pull, wrench, yank, drag, hale, lug, tow, bang away, beaver (away), dig (away), drudge, endeavor, fag, grub, hump, hustle, labor, moil, peg (away), plod, plow, plug, slave, slog, strain, strive, struggle, sweat, toil, travail, work, sweat blood

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Tug

Words with the opposite meaning of Tug:

push, drive, propel

Related Words for Tug

hitch, twitch, grab, snatch, attract, heave, carry, convey, ferry, move, transport, apply (oneself), buckle (down), dig in, hammer (away), knuckle down, pitch in, attack, drive, essay, try, exercise, exert, overexert, overwork, eke out, grind (out), put out, scrabble, scratch

Near Antonyms of Tug

heave, shove, thrust, break, ease (up), let up, slacken, bum, chill, dally, dillydally, footle, goldbrick, goof (off), hack (around), hang (around or out), idle, laze, loaf, lounge, shirk, slack (off), veg out, bask, loll, relax, repose, rest, unwind, dabble

Word Forms of Tug

Inflections: tugged, tugging

Derived words: tugger (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Tug

Middle English tuggen; akin to Old English togian to pull tow

First known use: 14th centuryi

Words & Phrases Containing Tug

tug-of-war, tug-of-love, tug/pull at one's heartstrings, tug/touch one's forelock

Frequently Asked Questions about Tug

What does "Tug" mean?

"Tug" means to pull hard. As an a verb, a noun and an abbreviation, it is defined as: to pull hard. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Tug"?

Other words for "Tug" include draw, haul, jerk, pluck, pull, wrench, yank and drag. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Tug" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Tug"?

There are 68 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Tug". Common alternatives include draw, haul, jerk, pluck, pull, wrench, yank, drag, hale and lug.

What is the opposite of "Tug"?

Antonyms of "Tug" include push, drive and propel. Near antonyms include heave, shove, thrust and break.

How do you use "Tug" in a sentence?

Examples of "Tug" in a sentence: "gave the man in front a tug on his shirtsleeve as a sign that he was supposed to step aside"; "tugged on the door until it opened"; "she's tugged all her life to get to where she is now in the business world".

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

"Tug" can be used as a verb, a noun and an abbreviation, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Tug"?

"Tug" is pronounced /ˈtəg/.

What is the origin of the word "Tug"?

"Tug" comes from Middle English tuggen; akin to Old English togian to pull tow. First known use: 14th centuryi.