squeeze

verb

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\ ˈskwēz

squeezed; squeezing

Definition of squeeze

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

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

b : to extract or emit under pressure

c : to force or thrust by compression

2a(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

squeeze

noun

Definition of squeeze (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : an act or instance of squeezing : compression

b : handclasp also : embrace

2a : 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

Other Words from squeeze Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about squeeze

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Other Words from squeeze

Verb

squeezability \ ˌskwē-zə-ˈbi-lə-tē

\ noun

squeezable \ ˈskwē-zə-bəl

\ adjective

squeezer noun

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: Verb Otherwise, fill the sink with cool, clear water, immerse the garment and squeeze the water through to rinse. — Amanda Garrity, Good Housekeeping, "How to Do Laundry: A Step-by-Step Guide on the Right Way to Sort, Wash and Dry," 30 Mar. 2021 The set includes six foam balls—just squeeze and shoot! — Lindsey Hunter Lopez, USA TODAY, "20 best Easter gifts for teens of 2021," 17 Mar. 2021 He is expected to pitch before the end of the week and could squeeze in enough innings to potentially open with the team. — Evan Grant, Dallas News, "Rangers 2021 spring training player breakdown, opening day roster projection version 3.0," 17 Mar. 2021 Cut up the vegetables and cilantro, and squeeze some more lime juice on top of them. — Wes Siler, Outside Online, "How to Choose Your Own Adventure in Baja," 9 Mar. 2021 Then, the Cougars will squeeze in an hourlong shootaround at 8:30 a.m. Monday morning before the day’s action starts. — Norma Gonzalez, The Salt Lake Tribune, "It’s been 20 years since BYU won its last men’s basketball conference title. The Cougars start their latest quest Monday.," 7 Mar. 2021 But Pires knew early on that testing students would swiftly squeeze the town’s resources. — Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, "The Giant Experiment That Could Keep Schools Open," 4 Mar. 2021 Set GTS rolling at 15 mph in first gear, revs nearing the border of sound and fury, then squeeze down hard. — Mark Ewing, Forbes, "Ferrari 812 GTS Mountain Test: World’s Finest High-Speed Orchestral Maneuvers For Two, World’s Most Glorious Supercar Symphony," 2 Mar. 2021 After re-signing WNBA scoring leader Taurasi and center Kia Vaughn, both unrestricted free agents, Pitman focused on trying to acquire Nurse and squeeze 11 players under the WNBA's $1,339,000 hard salary cap. — Jeff Metcalfe, The Arizona Republic, "Phoenix Mercury remain in 'win now mode' post free agency," 19 Feb. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Howes squared to bunt on a safety squeeze, but Coxon‘s pitch was low and outside. — Randy Mcroberts, baltimoresun.com, "Siano pitches, hits Havre de Grace to win over Aberdeen in Cal Ripkien Sr. ‘Fungo’ baseball game," 16 Apr. 2021 For example, a Texas engineering firm selling sensors that take temperature readings needed when pouring concrete at building, highway and bridge construction sites is seeing a squeeze, the New York Times reported on Friday. — Phoebe Wall Howard, Detroit Free Press, "People are clamoring for Ford F-150s now trapped in Detroit parking lot," 16 Apr. 2021 Companies like Apple, which has been forced to delay the delivery of its iPhone 12 because of the chip squeeze, can use their purchasing power to essentially cut the line, Tang said. — Chase Difeliciantonio, San Francisco Chronicle, "Global chip shortage could hamper Bay Area companies' production of items like guitar pedals and sex toys," 16 Apr. 2021 Hard-to-squeeze trimmers create fatigue in no time flat. — Jeffrey Harper, chicagotribune.com, "Best garden tools," 14 Apr. 2021 Acheson recommends tongs, tweezers, precision spoons, squeeze bottles, piping bags, and palette knives. — Kelsey Ogletree, Better Homes & Gardens, "12 Food Styling Tips from Celebrity Chefs to Try at Dinner Tonight," 13 Apr. 2021 The Treasury market, which was disrupted as some financial firms sold government debt amid a liquidity squeeze. — BostonGlobe.com, "Boston Fed president forecasts strong economic growth as COVID threat wanes," 12 Apr. 2021 The hall was a tight squeeze for 120, but only 61 showed up, including Burdick and the accompanist, which enabled everyone to sit farther apart. — New York Times, "The Skagit Valley," 8 Apr. 2021 Its problems are emblematic of the squeeze being felt at thousands of local newsrooms across the country. — NBC News, "In a Pennsylvania town, a Facebook group fills the local news void," 5 Apr. 2021

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.