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yankto 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.
💡 Concept

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.
🧠 Mnemonic

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.
🎵 Rhyme

As a cruel prank, he yanked the chair right before she sat down.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/jæŋk/
🇬🇧 UK/jæŋk/

🌳Etymology

Rootyank

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

banktankrankblank
bank
tank
rank
blank

🔗Collocations

yank away
yank out
yank open
yank off
give a yank
hard yank

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

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

pulljerktugwrenchsnatch

Antonyms

pushreleaselet go

Related

grabseizedraghaul

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