as in close
giving or sharing as little as possible
neighborhood kids who were trick-or-treating knew better than to bother to knock on that pinching couple's door
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in saving
the quality or practice of being overly sparing with money
this constant pinching is getting ridiculous—we can afford to turn on one or two lights!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in stealing
to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep
pinched the earrings while the boutique owner was distracted by another customer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in arresting
to take or keep under one's control by authority of law
pinched the purse snatcher just two blocks from where he had robbed the old lady
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in conserving
to avoid unnecessary waste or expense
if we pinch hard for the upcoming year, we can probably afford the vacation at that fancy resort
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of pinching
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
13 June 2026
The penny pinching doesn’t exactly translate with the NBA, a players’ league and one where market size to elevate brand is difficult in Portland.
—
Maury Brown,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
The bra’s signature M frame creates a sturdy structure that supports your chest sans underwire — thereby avoiding any digging, pinching, and poking throughout the day.
—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
10 May 2026
The result is a weeknight-friendly meal with no need for folding and pinching.
—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Apr. 2026
The memory foam construction also provides plush cushioning to prevent pinching.
—
Bestreviews,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
In digital tests, wearers used natural pinching and grasping gestures to zoom and manipulate virtual objects on a computer screen with fluid precision.
—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Mar. 2026
The penny pinching has small business owners complaining about hard times.
—
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2026
Made from SpanxSmooth material—a lightweight nylon-and-elastane blend—the bralette feels almost weightless and provides gentle smoothing without any digging or pinching.
—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
30 Nov. 2025
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
22 June 2026
But the Department of Homeland Security—an organization not otherwise known for their penny-pinching nature— somehow managed to build the Transportation Security Administration’s Canine Training Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland for $12 million.
—
Craig Hooper,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
Adjusting text size, for example, requires two-finger pinching on the screen.
—
M. David Stone,
PC Magazine,
19 June 2026
That's pinching both mechanics and drivers.
—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
16 June 2026
Zinnias, dahlias, cosmos, rudbeckia, marigolds, and branching sunflowers will all benefit from pinching.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
11 June 2026
Both teams’ forwards pressure real hard and are very physical while their defensemen are very active pinching deep, which results in extended zone time and wearing the opposition down.
—
Pierre Lebrun,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
Sometimes there was laughter from girls who were pinching or tickling each other.
—
Annie Ernaux,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
The relaxed fit feels airy on warm days, while the elastic waistband stretches comfortably without pinching or digging in.
—
Jeaneen Russell,
PEOPLE,
23 May 2026
Noun
The Maui flip-flops target key pressure points on the sole of the foot to help evenly distribute weight and reduce stress, while the wide toe post is designed to minimize pinching and blisters.
—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
13 June 2026
The penny pinching doesn’t exactly translate with the NBA, a players’ league and one where market size to elevate brand is difficult in Portland.
—
Maury Brown,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
The bra’s signature M frame creates a sturdy structure that supports your chest sans underwire — thereby avoiding any digging, pinching, and poking throughout the day.
—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
10 May 2026
The result is a weeknight-friendly meal with no need for folding and pinching.
—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Apr. 2026
The memory foam construction also provides plush cushioning to prevent pinching.
—
Bestreviews,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
In digital tests, wearers used natural pinching and grasping gestures to zoom and manipulate virtual objects on a computer screen with fluid precision.
—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Mar. 2026
The penny pinching has small business owners complaining about hard times.
—
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2026
Made from SpanxSmooth material—a lightweight nylon-and-elastane blend—the bralette feels almost weightless and provides gentle smoothing without any digging or pinching.
—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
30 Nov. 2025
Verb
Instead of kicking back, most workers are delaying their flight from the nest thanks to an affordability crisis pinching the wallets of everyday Americans.
—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
22 June 2026
But the Department of Homeland Security—an organization not otherwise known for their penny-pinching nature— somehow managed to build the Transportation Security Administration’s Canine Training Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland for $12 million.
—
Craig Hooper,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
Adjusting text size, for example, requires two-finger pinching on the screen.
—
M. David Stone,
PC Magazine,
19 June 2026
That's pinching both mechanics and drivers.
—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
16 June 2026
Zinnias, dahlias, cosmos, rudbeckia, marigolds, and branching sunflowers will all benefit from pinching.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
11 June 2026
Both teams’ forwards pressure real hard and are very physical while their defensemen are very active pinching deep, which results in extended zone time and wearing the opposition down.
—
Pierre Lebrun,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
Sometimes there was laughter from girls who were pinching or tickling each other.
—
Annie Ernaux,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
The relaxed fit feels airy on warm days, while the elastic waistband stretches comfortably without pinching or digging in.
—
Jeaneen Russell,
PEOPLE,
23 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pinching
Adjective
-
With the wrap in front of you, fold up the edge closest to you.
-
Because wells in the region are large and close to one another, restarting production will require significant coordination across companies and countries to ensure consistent pressure across multiple wells.
Noun
-
The remaining 30% is reserved for improving your financial future through saving, investing or paying down debt.
-
Right now, subscribers can score savings on lightweight quilts, colorful area rugs, space-saving nightstands, and more.
Verb
-
Canada is now tied with Switzerland atop Group B, with both teams holding four points after two matches.
-
There are also the remnants of a statue thought to be of Silvanus, the Roman god of the countryside, holding a small animal in one hand and a basket adorned with birds in another.
Verb
-
As the berries begin to ripen, cover the pots with netting to keep birds and other animals from stealing your harvest.
-
The technology’s ability to reduce theft and fraud is especially intriguing, given the crimes are not generally a person or group simply stealing freight.
Verb
-
An Observer reporter witnessed officers arresting one individual wearing a custom face mask and another who was placed in the back of a police four-wheeler.
-
Making a comeback on the Milan men’s calendar after a decade’s absence and under new ownership, Caruso made a big impression with its breezy and slyly nonchalant tailoring done up in an arresting array of unusual colors.
Verb
-
Vineyards and winemaking utilize sustainable practices, including protecting the adjacent Napa River, naturally managing pests by installing bird and owl boxes among the vines, maintaining healthy soil, and conserving water.
-
Patients may need to decide between breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy, consider reconstruction options, evaluate radiation recommendations, or determine whether endocrine therapy, chemotherapy or additional testing is appropriate.
Adjective
-
China walked a careful diplomatic line during the conflict.
-
All that plus nightly turndown service and 24-hour room service reflect the careful attention paid to guests at Moon Palace The Grand—Cancun.
Noun
-
Inflation continues to pressure consumers The holiday economizing comes as Americans continue to battle inflation, which rose after the COVID-19 pandemic to levels not seen since the 1980s.
Cite this Entry
“Pinching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pinching. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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