squeeze

verb \ ˈskwēz \

Updated on: 19 Apr 2018

Definition of squeeze

squeezed; squeezing

transitive verb

1 a : to exert pressure especially on opposite sides of : compress

b : to extract or emit under pressure

c : to force or thrust by compression

2 a (1) : to get by extortion

(2) : to deprive by extortion

b : to cause economic hardship to

c : to reduce the amount of

squeezes profits

3 : to crowd into a limited area

4 : to gain or win by a narrow margin

5 : to force (another player) to discard in bridge so as to unguard a suit

6 : to score by means of a squeeze play

intransitive verb

1 : to give way before pressure

2 : to exert pressure; also : to practice extortion or oppression

3 : to force one's way

squeeze through a door

4 : to pass, win, or get by narrowly

—

squeezability

play \ˌskwē-zə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

—

squeezable

play \ˈskwē-zə-bəl\ adjective

—

squeezer

noun

See squeeze defined for English-language learners

See squeeze defined for kids

Examples of squeeze in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of squeeze from the Web

The Super Bowl champion and two-time NFL most valuable player has squeezed some football into his off-season calendar.

— jeff maillet, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Packers QB Aaron Rodgers offers tips to top NFL prospect Josh Rosen," 12 Apr. 2018
Singletons with neither a strong speciality nor an international footprint are feeling squeezed.

— The Economist, "British law firms seek similar across the pond," 12 Apr. 2018
The Hands-on Oaxacan Experience Thread Caravan’s four-night escape south of the border is ideal for honeymooners squeezed on time or budget.

— ashlea halpern, The Cut, "12 Epic, All-Inclusive Honeymoon Itineraries," 11 Apr. 2018
On either dry skin or wet skin (the former will give you a rougher rub down while the latter will deliver a gentle exfoliation), simply squeeze the scrub out of the on-the-go packet, rub in circular motions, and rinse.

— macaela mackenzie, Allure, "Frank Body Just Released a Mess-Free Version of Its Wildly Popular Coffee Scrub," 10 Apr. 2018
Claire squeals, squeezing Bender’s head between her knees.

— samantha schmidt, BostonGlobe.com, "Molly Ringwald reckons with the ‘The Breakfast Club’ in the #MeToo era," 10 Apr. 2018
To get an immediate hit of the zesty finger lime, cut a fruit in half and, using the unopened end as a kind of toothpaste tube, squeeze some of the beads onto your tongue.

— earl nickel, San Francisco Chronicle, "Finger limes the ‘caviar’ of citrus for your garden," 9 Apr. 2018
O'Farrell now says the city missed a key window to take action as rising rents squeezed residents.

— emily alpert reyes, latimes.com, "When L.A. opted to fund city services over housing, did it help fuel a crisis?," 9 Apr. 2018
Someone either squeezed too hard or thrust with intent to harm while their hands were locked.

— patrick brennan, Cincinnati.com, "Personalities color the FC Cincinnati-Louisville City rivalry," 7 Apr. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of squeeze

alteration of obsolete English quease, from Middle English queysen, from Old English cwȳsan; akin to Icelandic kveisa stomach cramps

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1601

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

squeeze Synonyms

squeeze

noun

Definition of squeeze

1 a : an act or instance of squeezing : compression

b : handclasp; also : embrace

2 a : a quantity squeezed out from something

a squeeze of lemon

b : a group crowded together : crowd

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 : squeeze play

7 slang : a romantic partner

she's my main squeeze

See squeeze defined for English-language learners

Examples of squeeze in a Sentence

Fifty guests will be a bit of a squeeze.
It'll be a tight squeeze, but we can all fit.

Recent Examples of squeeze from the Web

With runners on first and third with one out, LSU called for a squeeze bunt with Hal Hughes at the plate.

— andrew lopez, NOLA.com, "Watch Daniel Cabrera's walk-off homer for LSU baseball," 15 Apr. 2018
However, the proposal does it by redirecting cash already committed or planned for school districts in coming years, so school districts would feel the squeeze.

— Washington Post, "Arizona governor proposes 20 percent teacher raises by 2020," 13 Apr. 2018
The Jaguars scored five of their eight runs on homers in the first game, but scored by way of two sacrifice flys, a squeeze bunt, a hit-by-pitch and a walk in the nightcap.

— creg stephenson, AL.com, "South Alabama baseball sweeps two from Georgia Southern," 13 Apr. 2018
For Groton-Dunstable, Kasey Griffiths was 1 for 2 with a run, and Christopher Watt delivered the Crusaders’ run by converting a squeeze bunt.

— chris bokum, BostonGlobe.com, "In front of MLB scouts, BC High star pitcher Mike Vasil just misses perfect game," 11 Apr. 2018
Beckman's Connor McGuire then laid down a successful squeeze bunt to score another run, before Jake Groves' sacrifice fly gave the visitors a three-run cushion.

— matt szabo, latimes.com, "Beckman baseball leaps into first place in the Pacific Coast League over Corona del Mar," 7 Apr. 2018
Texas teachers are feeling the squeeze due to a lack of state funding for public education.

— alex samuels, star-telegram, "Teachers in other states are striking. Here's why Texas teachers aren't | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 5 Apr. 2018
Asplund, a visual effects artist who met Reid while studying in the States, was also feeling the squeeze.

— NBC News, "An American dad in Sweden now has plenty of family time," 4 Apr. 2018
Gonzalez dropped a squeeze bunt in front of the mound, but Bundy had no play at home, throwing to first for the out but allowing the tying run to score.

— eduardo a. encina, baltimoresun.com, "Dylan Bundy's continued growth a rare bright spot in Orioles' slow start," 4 Apr. 2018

First Known Use of squeeze

1611

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

squeeze Synonyms

Synonyms

compacting, compaction, compression, condensation, condensing, constricting, constriction, contracting, contraction, squeezing, telescoping;

Antonyms

decompression, expansion;

Near Antonyms

dilation, dispersion, dissipation, scattering;

distension (or distention), inflation, swelling;

concentration, consolidation;

simplification, streamlining;

decreasing, diminishment, lessening;

SQUEEZE Defined for English Language Learners

squeeze

verb

Definition of squeeze for English Language Learners

: to press together the parts and especially the opposite sides of (something)
: to get or remove (something) by squeezing something
: to pull back on (a gun's trigger) with your finger

squeeze

noun

Definition of squeeze for English Language Learners

: a situation in which people or things are crowded together
: an act of squeezing something
: a small amount that is gotten or removed from something (such as a piece of fruit) by squeezing it

SQUEEZE Defined for Kids

squeeze

verb \ ˈskwēz \

Definition of squeeze for Students

squeezed; squeezing

1 : to press together from the opposite sides or parts of : compress

2 : to get by squeezing

Squeeze the juice from a lemon.

3 : to force or crowd in by compressing

We squeezed into the car.

squeeze

noun

Definition of squeeze for Students

: an act or instance of compressing

Learn More about squeeze

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for squeeze Spanish Central: Translation of squeeze Nglish: Translation of squeeze for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of squeeze for Arabic speakers

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squeeze

Definition of squeeze

squeezability

squeezable

squeezer

Examples of squeeze in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of squeeze

squeeze Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

squeeze

Definition of squeeze

Examples of squeeze in a Sentence

Recent Examples of squeeze from the Web

First Known Use of squeeze

squeeze Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Phrases Related to SQUEEZE

Related Phrases

SQUEEZE Defined for English Language Learners

squeeze

Definition of squeeze for English Language Learners

squeeze

Definition of squeeze for English Language Learners

SQUEEZE Defined for Kids

squeeze

Definition of squeeze for Students

squeeze

Definition of squeeze for Students

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