Synonyms of yanking

yanking

verb

present participle of yank

1

as in jerking

to move or cause to move with a sharp quick motion

she stupidly yanked the wheel while I was driving

Synonyms & Similar Words

• jerking
• pulling
• twitching
• tugging
• lurching
• grabbing
• shaking
• bucking
• jolting
• hitching
• bumping
• tearing
• dragging
• hoicking
• ripping
• snatching
• staggering
• plucking
• jiggling
• jigging
• jogging
• lugging
• jouncing
• tweaking
• pitching
• wrenching
• snapping (up)
• joggling
• wringing
• wresting

2

as in pulling

to draw out by force or with effort

yanked out a tooth with a pair of pliers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pulling
• prying
• extracting
• plucking
• removing
• uprooting
• tearing (out)
• wringing
• taking (out)
• corkscrewing
• wresting
• rooting (out)
• prizing
• withdrawing
• mining

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inserting
• installing
• instilling
• implanting
• stuffing
• jamming
• wedging
• ramming
• cramming

3

as in grabbing

to separate or remove by forceful pulling

grab the other one, and let's see if we can't yank these two grocery carriages apart

Synonyms & Similar Words

• grabbing
• tearing
• ripping
• pulling
• snatching
• wrenching
• wresting
• prying
• extracting
• seizing
• cutting (off)
• severing
• forcing
• snapping (up)
• amputating
• jerking
• nabbing
• uprooting
• lopping (off)
• nipping
• dissevering
• rooting (out)
• prizing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reattaching

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of yanking

Zabransky was the first person to reach Rabb in the end zone, yanking him into the air for a bear hug. — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 3 Oct. 2026

There’s also an ending that revels in a form of catharsis — for the audience watching the play, not the movie — before yanking that, too, away. — David MacK, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2026

McCullough has left himself open to criticism by yanking several starting pitchers early in games, citing data that starters aren’t as effective when facing a batting order for a third time. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 29 Sep. 2026

Sanders made field goals of 33, 51 and 52 yards, rebounding after yanking a 54-yard attempt short and left. — ABC News, 13 Sep. 2026

Once the drop trap — a simple wire cage triggered by yanking on a cord — is set up with an enticing mix of sardines and shards of roast chicken on a cardboard tray inside, everyone moves out of sight behind massive logs a few yards away. — Adam Tschorn, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Sandra Ogbebor hunches over her softly humming refrigerator and scours through bottles before finally yanking out an orange juice. — Light Oriye Tamunotonye, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Sep. 2026

Video shows teams of workers yanking ropes to ferry locals who were stranded on an embankment flanked by a flooded river. — Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026

An Arkansas State Police trooper was captured on dashcam footage yanking the passenger of a vehicle by his hair and punching him in the face after a high-speed chase that ended in the streets of Blytheville. — Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 31 Aug. 2026