tug

[ tuhg ]

verb (used with object)

, tugged, tug·ging.

1. to pull at with force, vigor, or effort.

   Synonyms: wrench, jerk, yank

2. to move by pulling forcibly; drag; haul.
3. to tow (a vessel) by means of a tugboat.

verb (used without object)

, tugged, tug·ging.

1. to pull with force or effort:

   to tug at a stuck drawer.

2. to strive hard; labor; toil.

noun

1. an act or instance of tugging; pull; haul.
2. a strenuous contest between opposing forces, groups, or persons; struggle:

   the tug of young minds in a seminar.

3. tugboat.
4. that by which something is tugged, as a rope or chain.
5. (on a harness)
   1. trace ²( def 1 ).
   2. any of various supporting or pulling parts.

tug

/ tʌɡ /

verb

1. whenintr, sometimes foll by at to pull or drag with sharp or powerful movements

   the boy tugged at the door handle

2. tr to tow (a vessel) by means of a tug
3. intr to work; toil

noun

1. a strong pull or jerk

   he gave the rope a tug

2. Also calledtugboattowboat a boat with a powerful engine, used for towing barges, ships, etc
3. a hard struggle or fight
4. See trace
   a less common word for trace 2

Derived Forms

• ˈtugger, noun

Other Words From

• tugger noun
• tugless adjective
• un·tugged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tug¹

1175–1225; Middle English toggen to play-wrestle, contend; akin to Old English togian to tow ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of tug¹

C13: related to Old English tēon to tow ¹

Example Sentences

The backward tug of this material’s gravity then causes the cluster to plunge closer and closer to the galactic center.

From Science News

For designers, though, possibly the most intriguing aspect of the Tik Tok tug-of-war is the report, first floated in the New York Times, that the leading candidate for CEO of the restructured entity is Instagram co-founder Kevin Systrom.

From Fortune

Foundational theories of morality have been locked in a perennial tug of war.

From Nautilus

Foundational theories of morality have been locked in a perennial tug of war between the supernaturalism of Plato and the naturalism of his opponents.

From Nautilus

Each star tends to keep the disk aligned with itself, and the tug-of-war warped and sheared the disk, and twisted the inner ring even further.

From Science News

These men and women will no doubt cause a tug a war in time.

From The Daily Beast

The White House has been mediating the tug of war between the CIA and the committee over the redaction process.

From The Daily Beast

But since then it has been subject to a tug of war with the CIA.

From The Daily Beast

After this Euro-Russian tug of war, the sparks ignited in Kiev and Moscow.

From The Daily Beast

Throughout the day, you would overhear chit-chat about the ongoing tug-of-war between libertarians and social conservatives.

From The Daily Beast

He was given no reply save a muttered curse, a command to hold his tongue, and an angry tug at his tied arms.

From Project Gutenberg

In fact, the true tug only begins when we try to carry the second line and the flanking machine guns.

From Project Gutenberg

On this occasion, however, the tug appeared somewhat late on the scene, and hailed the Gull.

From Project Gutenberg

The drama, as far as the Gull-Light was concerned, ended that night with the disappearance of the tug and lifeboat.

From Project Gutenberg

Tug service for sailing ships or vessels without motive power is at the rate of $15 per hour.

From Project Gutenberg