pincer

noun

pin·cer | \ ˈpin(t)-sər

, especially for sense 1 US often ˈpin-chər \

Definition of pincer

1a pincers plural : an instrument having two short handles and two grasping jaws working on a pivot and used for gripping things

b : a claw (as of a lobster) resembling a pair of pincers : chela

2 : pincer movement

Other Words from pincer Example Sentences Phrases Containing pincer Learn More About pincer

Examples of pincer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But that returns us to Rottenborn’s list of all the pincer movements that close in on abuse victims. — Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 2 June 2022 Nearby, Russian forces were trying to push southward, part of a pincer move to trap the Ukrainian troops still holding a pocket of territory in the two eastern provinces of Donetsk and Luhansk. — New York Times, 1 June 2022 This led to a pincer attack on their profit margins. — Omer Riaz, Forbes, 26 May 2022 This may allow Russia to form a pincer in conjunction with a thrust pressing southward towards Lyman that could leave the veteran Ukrainian brigades in Severodonetsk encircled. — Sebastien Roblin, Forbes, 22 May 2022 The assault from prices will be two-pronged, almost pincer-like. — Rajrishi Singhal, Quartz, 26 Jan. 2022 What made this latest countercultural rebellion unique was its pincer attack. — Matthew Continetti, National Review, 23 Oct. 2021 Flying from multiple bases and then meeting on the far side of Taiwan—creating a giant aerial pincer—would also show PLAAF's ability to coordinate different air units from different bases under a common headquarters. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 21 June 2021 A few years ago, de Miranda helped examine whip spiders from three caves in Israel, two yielding the same species found in Jordan, Turkey, and Greece, and the third yielding something completely new, with weaker eyes and more pincer-spines. — Eric Boodman, Wired, 29 May 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pincer.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.