yank — to pull something suddenly and forcefully
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to pull something suddenly and forcefully
Pronunciation (IPA): /jæŋk/
Example Sentences
- My cat yanked the curtains down while chasing a fly.
- The dentist yanked out my wisdom tooth in one swift motion.
- She yanked her hand away when she saw the spider.
yank
VERB[/jæŋk/]
to pull something suddenly and forcefully

The big dog saw a squirrel and yanked the leash out of his owner's hand.

Y(yell) + ANK(anchor) — the sailor yelled loudly as he yanked the heavy anchor onto the deck.

As a cruel prank, he yanked the chair right before she sat down.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Yank emerged in 19th-century American English as an onomatopoetic word expressing sudden, forceful pulling motions. The word's phonetic form itself evokes the quick, sharp action of jerking or tugging with vigor.
Breakdown
Onomatopoetic formation: the sound 'yank' directly mimics the sharp, snapping motion of a sudden pull or jerk, with no distinct morphological components.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My cat yanked the curtains down while chasing a fly.”
“The dentist yanked out my wisdom tooth in one swift motion.”
“She yanked her hand away when she saw the spider.”
“He yanked the weeds from his garden with determination.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related
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