pull back

1. To apply force to so as to cause or tend to cause motion toward the source of the force.

2. To remove from a fixed position; extract: The dentist pulled the tooth.

3. To tug at; jerk or tweak.

4. To rip or tear; rend.

5. To stretch (taffy, for example) repeatedly.

6. To strain (a muscle, for example) injuriously.

7. Informal To attract; draw: a performer who pulls large crowds.

8. Slang To draw out (a weapon) in readiness for use: pull a gun; pulled a knife on me.

9. Informal To remove: pulled the engine; pulled the tainted meat product from the stores.

10. Sports To hit (a ball) so that it moves in the direction away from the dominant hand of the player propelling it, as to the left of a right-handed player.

11. Nautical

    1. To operate (an oar) in rowing.

    2. To transport or propel by rowing.

    3. To be rowed by: That boat pulls six oars.

12. To rein in (a horse) to keep it from winning a race.

13. Printing To produce (a print or an impression) from type.

1. To exert force in moving something toward the source of the force.

2. To drink or inhale deeply: pulled on the cold beer with gusto; pull on a cigarette.

3. Nautical To row a boat.

4. Informal To express or feel great sympathy or empathy: We're pulling for our new president.

1. The act or process of pulling.

2. Force exerted in pulling or required to overcome resistance in pulling.

3. A sustained effort: a long pull across the mountains.

4. Something, such as a knob on a drawer, that is used for pulling.

5. A deep inhalation or draft, as on a cigarette or of a beverage.

6. Slang A means of gaining special advantage; influence: The lobbyist has pull with the senator.

7. Informal Ability to draw or attract; appeal: a star with pull at the box office.

8. To move away or backward; withdraw: The limousine pulled away from the curb.

9. To move ahead: The horse pulled away and took the lead in the race.

10. To demolish; destroy: pull down an old office building.

11. To reduce to a lower level.

12. To depress, as in spirits or health.

13. Informal To draw (money) as wages: pulls down a hefty salary.

14. To arrive at a destination: We pulled in at midnight.

15. To rein in; restrain.

16. To arrest (a criminal suspect, for example).

17. To leave or depart: The train pulls out at noon.

18. To withdraw, as from a situation or commitment: After the crash, many Wall Street investors pulled out.

19. To bring a vehicle to a stop at a curb or at the side of a road: We pulled over to watch the sunset.

20. To instruct or force (a motorist) to bring his or her vehicle to a stop at a curb or at the side of a road: The state trooper pulled the speeding motorist over.

21. To bring or come to a halt.

22. To move to a position or place ahead, as in a race.

1. To move away or backward; withdraw: The limousine pulled away from the curb.

2. To move ahead: The horse pulled away and took the lead in the race.

1. To demolish; destroy: pull down an old office building.

2. To reduce to a lower level.

3. To depress, as in spirits or health.

4. Informal To draw (money) as wages: pulls down a hefty salary.

1. To arrive at a destination: We pulled in at midnight.

2. To rein in; restrain.

3. To arrest (a criminal suspect, for example).

1. To leave or depart: The train pulls out at noon.

2. To withdraw, as from a situation or commitment: After the crash, many Wall Street investors pulled out.

1. To bring a vehicle to a stop at a curb or at the side of a road: We pulled over to watch the sunset.

2. To instruct or force (a motorist) to bring his or her vehicle to a stop at a curb or at the side of a road: The state trooper pulled the speeding motorist over.

1. To bring or come to a halt.

2. To move to a position or place ahead, as in a race.

Synonyms: These verbs mean to cause something to move toward the source of an applied force: pull a sled up a hill; drag furniture across the floor; drew up a chair; hauls wood from the forest; a car that tows a trailer; tugged at the oars.

Antonym: push