Antonyms for pluck

Grammar : Noun, verb

Spell : pluhk

Phonetic Transcription : plʌk

Definition of pluck

Origin : late Old English ploccian, pluccian "pull off, cull," from West Germanic *plokken (cf. Middle Low German plucken, Middle Dutch plocken, Dutch plukken, Flemish plokken, German pflücken), perhaps from Vulgar Latin *piluccare (cf. Old French peluchier, late 12c.; Italian piluccare), a frequentative, ultimately from Latin pilare "pull out hair," from pilus "hair" (see pile (n.3)). But despite the similarities, OED finds difficulties with this and cites gaps in historical evidence. Related: Plucked; plucking.
To pluck a rose, an expression said to be used by women for going to the necessary house, which in the country usually stands in the garden. [F. Grose, "Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue," 1785]
This euphemistic use is attested from 1610s. To pluck up "summon up" is from c.1300.

noun person's resolution, courage
verb grab, pull out; pick at

Example sentences :

Cut off my arm and pluck out my eye, so that the other may be better.
Extract from : « The Imaginary Invalid » by Molire

Rima was not there to pluck the rage from my heart and save his evil life.
Extract from : « Green Mansions » by W. H. Hudson

Then you have to do the best you can, and prove the pluck that is in you.
Extract from : « The Forest » by Stewart Edward White

Now I must be permitted to celebrate by a little the pluck of Dick.
Extract from : « The Forest » by Stewart Edward White

Why should you aspire to pluck the flower which has grown up amongst us?
Extract from : « Micah Clarke » by Arthur Conan Doyle

All of a sudden, his patience, endurance, pluck seemed to give out.
Extract from : « The Cruise of the Dry Dock » by T. S. Stribling

I did think he was a coward at first, but he showed some pluck at last.
Extract from : « Wilfrid Cumbermede » by George MacDonald

It was her pluck that kept you in Paris—while she was dying.
Extract from : « The Harbor » by Ernest Poole

What right had they to pluck brands from the burning at the expense o' dacent fowk!
Extract from : « Salted With Fire » by George MacDonald

At least there was some pluck about those forged receipts of Gagneux.
Extract from : « Nana, The Miller's Daughter, Captain Burle, Death of Olivier Becaille » by Emile Zola

Synonyms for pluck

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019