tug

Harbor boat work

Tug is a short, sharp pull: She gave his sleeve a tug.

To tug is to pull with effort or force: The child tugged at her mother's hand.

A tug is also a powerful boat that pulls or pushes larger vessels—a tugboat.

Figuratively, a tug is an emotional pull: He felt the tug of nostalgia.

A tug of war is a contest where two sides pull opposite ends of a rope, or any struggle between competing forces.

pulling

yank

Quick, forceful pull

jerkAbrupt pulling motion
haulPull or carry laboriously
heaveForceful lift or throw

pull · wrench · pluck · snatch · grasp · grip · wrest · tweak · extract · dislodge

emotion

longing

Intense, persistent desire

yearningIntense prolonged craving
heartstringsDeep emotional attachments
pangBrief sharp sensation

ache · nostalgia · pull · draw · desire · sentiment · wistfulness · bittersweet · homesick · melancholy

effort

struggle

Labored effort against resistance

strainExcessive stretching force
exertionVigorous physical effort
heaveForceful lift or throw

labor · force · wrestle · grapple · resistance · tenacity · determination · perseverance · toil · push

boat

harbor

Safe anchorage for ships

vesselReceptacle for contents
bargeFlat freight vessel
towPull something behind

pilot · maritime · dock · port · mooring · anchor · deckhand · towline · shipyard · canal

physical

muscle

Contractile body tissue

strainExcessive stretching force
tensionStretched or strained state
sprainLigament stretch injury

soreness · cramp · stiffness · ache · discomfort · injury · overexertion · fatigue · spasm · tenderness

Categories

pullingpull, yank, drag, haul, tow
touchestouch, pat, tap, rub, stroke
opposing forcespush, pull, thrust, counterforce, repulsion
boatsboat, ship, canoe, kayak, yacht
vehiclescar, bus, truck, van, bike
watercraftboat, sailboat, kayak, canoe, ships

Opposites

direction of force

Force something away

shove · thrust · propel · drive · nudge

force intensity

Gentle loving touch

stroke · gentle touch · pat · brush · graze

effort and exertion

To let go

let go · relinquish · drop · relax · rest

Phrases

tug of warTeams pull rope opposite ways
tug boatVessel that pulls others
tug at heartstrings
tug toyPet's pulling plaything
tug of loveDispute over child custody
tug at

Family

tugs, tugged, tugging, tugboat, tugboats, tugger

Familiarity: Top 10,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G