yank

1 of 3

verb

ˈyaŋk How to pronounce yank (audio)
yanked; yanking; yanks
Synonyms of yanknext

intransitive verb

: to pull on something with a quick vigorous movement

transitive verb

1
: to pull or extract with a quick vigorous movement
2
: to remove in or as if in an abrupt manner
yanked the story from the evening edition

yank

2 of 3

noun (1)

: a strong sudden pull : jerk

Yank

3 of 3

noun (2)

ˈyaŋk How to pronounce Yank (audio)
: yankee

Synonyms of yank

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Verb

Noun (1)

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Examples of yank in a Sentence

Verb He yanked the door shut. She yanked on the dog's leash. Noun (1) had to give the shoe a good yank to get it off
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
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 Olstead yanked the handle to release his parachute and watched the red-white-and-blue fabric unfurl. — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Noun
Visitors to China will want to lighten their grip, while folks introducing themselves to Germans should know to stop after one firm downward yank. — Chris Ciolli, AFAR Media, 15 July 2025 Running on a level surface (in supportive shoes—see above!) can serve as plenty a cardio workout without the extra yank on your plantar fascia. — Erica Sloan, SELF, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for yank

Word History

Etymology

Verb

origin unknown

First Known Use

Verb

1822, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun (1)

circa 1864, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1778, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of yank was in 1778

Phrases Containing yank

Rhymes for yank

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Browse Nearby Words

Yangzhou
yank
Yank
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Cite this Entry

“Yank.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yank. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

yank

1 of 3 noun
ˈyaŋk How to pronounce yank (audio)
: a strong sudden pull : jerk

yank

2 of 3 verb
: to pull suddenly or forcefully
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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