tug

a sudden abrupt pull

a powerful small boat designed to pull or push larger ships

pull hard; "The prisoner tugged at the chains"; "This movie tugs at the heart strings"

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"

tow (a vessel) with a tug; "The tugboat tugged the freighter into the harbor"

carry with difficulty; "You'll have to lug this suitcase"

move by pulling hard; "The horse finally tugged the cart out of the mud"

pull or strain hard at; "Each oar was tugged by several men"

struggle in opposition; "She tugged and wrestled with her conflicts"