yanked

Torn from place

Yanked is the past tense of yank, meaning to pull something with a sudden, sharp motion: She yanked the door open, He yanked his arm free.

The word suggests force and abruptness rather than gentle tugging.

Figuratively, to be yanked from a situation is to be removed suddenly: The show was yanked after three episodes.

pulled

tugged

Pulled with force

jerkedPulled with abrupt force
wrenchedTwisted suddenly, painfully
hauledTransported with effort

dragged · snatched · ripped · torn · grabbed · plucked · heaved · hoisted · lugged · pulled

slang

pulled

Drew with force

removedTaken from position
cancelledOfficially called off
withdrawnEmotionally distant, disengaged

revoked · axed · scrapped · shelved · nixed · killed · cut · dropped · discontinued · recalled

sudden

jerked

Pulled with abrupt force

snatchedTook quickly, abruptly
grabbedTook suddenly by hand
whippedStruck repeatedly, or defeated

snapped · jolted · startled · abrupt · quick · swift · forceful · violent · sharp · unexpected

Categories

pulling backrecoiled, flinched, retreated, withdrew, retracted
disappearedvanished, disappeared, gone, vanish, faded
extraction methodsjuicing, pressing, squeezing, milking, draining

Opposites

manner of force application

yankedpushed

Applied pressure to move

shoved · eased · pressed · coaxed · nudged

attachment/removal status

yankedfixed

Restored or immovable

secured · fastened · attached · inserted · installed

direction of force

yankedpushed

Applied pressure to move

shoved · thrust · rammed · jabbed · propelled

Phrases

yank your chain
yanking aroundPulling erratically in directions
yank someone's chainProvoke for amusement
yanking someone's chainProvoking for amusement
yanked aroundTreated dismissively, inconsistently
yanked someone's chainPlayfully provoked someone

Family

yank, yanks, yanking

Familiarity: Top 20,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G