Directly:
* He yanked the door open, startling everyone inside.
* The dog yanked the leash, trying to chase the squirrel.
* She yanked the weed out of the garden, snapping its roots.
Figuratively:
* The news yanked her back to reality.
* He yanked the microphone away from the speaker.
* The teacher yanked her attention back to the lesson.
Using synonyms:
* He pulled the door open with all his might.
* The dog tugged on the leash, desperate to run.
* She jerked the weed out of the ground.
Using phrases:
* He gave the door a good yank.
* She pulled with all her might, but the box wouldn't budge.
Remember to choose the wording that best fits the context and intensity of the action you want to describe.