Tug definition

(1) A sudden abrupt pull

(2) A powerful small boat designed to pull or push larger ships

(3) Struggle in opposition

"She tugged and wrestled with her conflicts"

(4) Pull hard

"The prisoner tugged at the chains"

"This movie tugs at the heart strings"

(5) Pull or strain hard at

"Each oar was tugged by several men"

(6) Move by pulling hard

"The horse finally tugged the cart out of the mud"

(7) Carry with difficulty

"You'll have to lug this suitcase"

(8) Tow (a vessel) with a tug

"The tugboat tugged the freighter into the harbor"

(9) Strive and make an effort to reach a goal

"She tugged for years to make a decent living"

"We have to push a little to make the deadline!"

"She is driving away at her doctoral thesis"