verb

pull

puul

verb

To apply force to something so it moves toward you.

"She pulled the door open and stepped inside."

"He pulled the rope until the boat came alongside the dock."

To remove or withdraw something, especially from sale, publication, or use.

"The company pulled the ad after complaints."

To strain or injure a muscle or ligament.

"He pulled a hamstring in the second half of the match."

noun

The act of pulling, or the force that draws something toward a source.

"Give the handle a firm pull to open it."

"There's a strong emotional pull to the story."

Influence or the ability to get favorable treatment.

"He has a lot of pull with the city council."

How to Use Pull

Learner’s notes

Common mistake

"Pull" (toward you) and "push" (away from you) are opposites — a common mix-up for learners, especially on signs.

Common pairings

pull a muscle pull strings pull out pull something off

Word Forms

pulled past tense, pull plural, pulled plural, pulls plural, pulls singular, pull singular, pulled singular, pullest singular, pulleth singular, pulledst singular

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

She _____ the door open and stepped inside.

Etymology

From Old English pullian, "to pull, draw, tug," of uncertain deeper origin.

Synonyms

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attract draw hale heave lug schlep

Antonyms

push repel shove eject leave rest throw repulsion

Related Words

retreat draw ear activity come leave sleep throw

Rhymes for pull

bull gull dull full null cull lull mull hull skull scull seagull

See all rhymes for pull →

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attract draw hale heave lug schlep push repel shove eject leave rest