tug definition

1. a sudden abrupt pull
2. a powerful small boat designed to pull or push larger ships
3. pull hard
• examples: The prisoner tugged at the chains
• examples: This movie tugs at the heart strings
4. strive and make an effort to reach a goal
• examples: She tugged for years to make a decent living
• examples: We have to push a little to make the deadline!
• examples: She is driving away at her doctoral thesis
5. tow (a vessel) with a tug
• examples: The tugboat tugged the freighter into the harbor
6. move by pulling hard
• examples: The horse finally tugged the cart out of the mud
7. pull or strain hard at
• examples: Each oar was tugged by several men
8. struggle in opposition
• examples: She tugged and wrestled with her conflicts