squeezed; squeezing
1
a
: to exert pressure especially on opposite sides of : compress
squeezed my arm
b
: to extract or emit under pressure
squeeze juice from an orange
c
: to force or thrust by compression
squeezed his hand into the hole
2
a(1)
: to get by extortion
… here they were, come to squeeze his land from him in his extremity.—
Pearl S. Buck
Pearl S. Buck
(2)
: to deprive by extortion
trying to squeeze me for more money
b
: to cause economic hardship to
farmers squeezed by higher seed prices
c
: to reduce the amount of
squeezes profits
3
: to crowd into a limited area
can squeeze another car into the lot
4
: to barely succeed at getting or doing (something)
The police squeezed a confession from her.
—often used with outThe team squeezed out a victory.
5
: to force (another player) to discard in bridge so as to unguard a suit
6
: to score by means of a squeeze play
1
: to give way before pressure
cushions squeezing as he sat down
2
: to exert pressure
remove the lid and squeeze
also
: to practice extortion or oppression
3
: to force one's way
squeeze through a door
4
: to pass, win, or get by narrowly
1
a
: an act or instance of squeezing : compression
2
3
: a profit taken by a middleman on goods or transactions
4
: a financial pressure caused by narrowing margins or by shortages
5
: a forced discard in bridge
6
7
slang
: a romantic partner
she's my main squeeze
Examples of squeeze in a Sentence
Verb
He lightly squeezed her hand and smiled.
Gently squeeze the fruit to see if it's ripe.
Hold it securely but don't squeeze too hard.
He squeezed the juice from the orange.
Noun
Fifty guests will be a bit of a squeeze.
It'll be a tight squeeze, but we can all fit.
Recent Examples on the Web
John Ruwitch, NPR, 4 Dec. 2025
Job cuts in industries with large immigrant workforces have squeezed finances, as has a broader cost-of-living crunch.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 3 Dec. 2025
Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Dec. 2025
In legs with a ruptured Achilles, a squeeze of the calf will do nothing.
—Matt Villano, CNN Money, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for squeeze
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
Chip designers and manufacturers say chip packaging is another way to squeeze more out of the technology.
—John Ruwitch, NPR, 4 Dec. 2025
Job cuts in industries with large immigrant workforces have squeezed finances, as has a broader cost-of-living crunch.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 3 Dec. 2025
Noun
Simply substitute a squeeze of toothpaste for hand or dish soap, and wash and rinse as usual.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Dec. 2025
In legs with a ruptured Achilles, a squeeze of the calf will do nothing.
—Matt Villano, CNN Money, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for squeeze
Cite this Entry
“Squeeze.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/squeeze. Accessed 6 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
squeeze
1 of 2 verb
squeezed; squeezing
1
2
a
: to force (as by threats) money, goods, or services from
squeezed their tenants mercilessly
b
: to reduce the amount of
rising costs squeezed profits
3
: to gain or win by a narrow margin
squeezer
noun
squeeze
2 of 2 noun1
: an act or instance of squeezing
2
: financial pressure
put the squeeze on someone
3
slang
: a romantic partner
she's my main squeeze
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