as in squeezed
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
the Internet opened up a whole new medium for con artists to pluck the gullible
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of plucked
Discovery and inspiration await in Casablanca, where leafy boulevards are lined by a diverse blend of architectural styles and lively markets are filled with treasures plucked from old villas and handcrafted by artisans.
—
Liza Foreman, Architectural Digest, 30 Apr. 2026
The Orion capsule will be returned to NASA's Kennedy Space Center for additional study following the mission — but before it was plucked from the ocean, the divers managed to capture images of the capsule and its heat shield underwater.
—Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 28 Apr. 2026
The Vikings also plucked Ryan Van Demark as a restricted free agent from the Buffalo Bills.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Using sculpting gel, nail artists are creating 3D blooms—go-to shades include baby pink, plum, and vermillion—that rise off the nail, with petals so defined they almost look freshly plucked.
—Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 27 Apr. 2026
Every summer, stylish crowds congregate along France’s southeastern shores, seduced by the glamorous promise of the French Riviera, spending their days sipping overpriced cocktails at the high-end resorts that line its sandy beaches as if plucked straight from a Slim Aarons photo.
—Monica Mendal, Vogue, 24 Apr. 2026
In choosing Love, the Cardinals disregarded conventional wisdom that quality running backs can be plucked much later in the draft and at a much lower cost.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026
Those who have been plucked from the crowd congregate at secret clubs and lavish dinner parties.
—Theo Baker, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026
The Panthers plucked nearly a dozen players from the Checkers over the course of the season to play at the NHL level as injuries derailed Florida’s roster.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
Liza Foreman, Architectural Digest, 30 Apr. 2026
The Orion capsule will be returned to NASA's Kennedy Space Center for additional study following the mission — but before it was plucked from the ocean, the divers managed to capture images of the capsule and its heat shield underwater.
—Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 28 Apr. 2026
The Vikings also plucked Ryan Van Demark as a restricted free agent from the Buffalo Bills.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Using sculpting gel, nail artists are creating 3D blooms—go-to shades include baby pink, plum, and vermillion—that rise off the nail, with petals so defined they almost look freshly plucked.
—Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 27 Apr. 2026
Every summer, stylish crowds congregate along France’s southeastern shores, seduced by the glamorous promise of the French Riviera, spending their days sipping overpriced cocktails at the high-end resorts that line its sandy beaches as if plucked straight from a Slim Aarons photo.
—Monica Mendal, Vogue, 24 Apr. 2026
In choosing Love, the Cardinals disregarded conventional wisdom that quality running backs can be plucked much later in the draft and at a much lower cost.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026
Those who have been plucked from the crowd congregate at secret clubs and lavish dinner parties.
—Theo Baker, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026
The Panthers plucked nearly a dozen players from the Checkers over the course of the season to play at the NHL level as injuries derailed Florida’s roster.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plucked
Verb
-
Many Americans feel financially squeezed — over half say their finances are worsening, according to a recent Gallup poll, the highest since 2001.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
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And so there’s going to be times where we’re squeezed and punched.—
Doug Ferguson,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The president was uninjured and was hustled away.—
Collin Binkley,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
All of them were hustled out of sight.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Nuggets have lost plenty of playoff games the past two springs, but few have stung like this.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
24 Apr. 2026
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Meyer acknowledged the logic behind preparing Nick Bosa for the NFL Draft but admitted the choice still stung as the Buckeyes chased a title.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The reportedly yearlong relationship is notable in that, after their split in 2015, Stocking posted and deleted tweets saying the basketball player cheated, per The New York Post.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
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This is the same team that cheated and got caught how many times, going back to Bill Belichick and golden boy Tom Brady (Deflategate)?—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
With Venus in Gemini aligning with Pluto in Aquarius, honest conversations help shift situations that have been stuck.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
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But as OutKick’s Joe Kinsey noted, the platform would often combine WNBA and NFL games, leaving subscribers stuck watching both.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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If Miranda Priestly can get thrown in steerage, we’re all screwed.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
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But that doesn’t mean working people aren’t getting screwed.—
Stuart Miller,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Freshman midfielder Quinn Fahey scored the lone goal for the Eagles (6-5-2, 3-2), who beat Andrew for the first time since 2021.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Led by starter Martín Pérez, the Braves started off another series with a victory by beating the Tigers 5-2 at Truist Park on Tuesday.—
Chad Bishop,
AJC.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Plucked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plucked. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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