tug

(noun) a sudden abrupt pull. Synonyms: jerk.

(noun) a powerful small boat designed to pull or push larger ships. Synonyms: tugboat, towboat, tower.

(verb) pull hard. Examples: "The prisoner tugged at the chains." "This movie tugs at the heart strings."

(verb) strive and make an effort to reach a goal. Synonyms: labor, labour, push, drive. Examples: "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."

(verb) tow (a vessel) with a tug. Examples: "The tugboat tugged the freighter into the harbor."

(verb) carry with difficulty. Synonyms: lug, tote. Examples: "You'll have to lug this suitcase."

(verb) move by pulling hard. Examples: "The horse finally tugged the cart out of the mud."

(verb) pull or strain hard at. Examples: "Each oar was tugged by several men."

(verb) struggle in opposition. Examples: "She tugged and wrestled with her conflicts."