This query prompted me to make a research in a public library.
After consulting several Taiwan and mainland dictionaries, I’ve found out that 曳 and 拽 are not variants in relation to the “drag” meaning.
曳 is the one that means “drag” in the sense of drawing, hauling or towing sth behind. The most common compounds are 拖曳 and 搖曳.
拽 means “pull hard” in the sense of grabbing, tugging or holding on to sth. The most common compounds are 生拉硬拽 and 拽住不放.
The two character pages have been revised, and thanks for raising the topic.
After consulting several Taiwan and mainland dictionaries, I’ve found out that 曳 and 拽 are not variants in relation to the “drag” meaning.
曳 is the one that means “drag” in the sense of drawing, hauling or towing sth behind. The most common compounds are 拖曳 and 搖曳.
拽 means “pull hard” in the sense of grabbing, tugging or holding on to sth. The most common compounds are 生拉硬拽 and 拽住不放.
The two character pages have been revised, and thanks for raising the topic.