1
2
as in arrest
the act of taking into one's control by authority of law
an innocent person caught up in a city-wide pinch of drug dealers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in shortage
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
this labor pinch means that there'll be long lines at the checkouts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in to steal
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 to arrest
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 to save
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
as in extra
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of pinch
Susan Slusser, SFChronicle.com, 26 Sep. 2020
Charles Trepany, USA Today, 18 June 2025
Tatis, who walked off the field under his own power, was replaced by a pinch runner.
—Dennis Lin, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 2 July 2025
One way to make tall varieties, which grow up to 4 feet, produce shorter, bushier plants is to pinch them back regularly.
—Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pinch
Noun
Pinch runner Tony Kemp was then stranded at third, emblematic of Oakland’s offensive frustrations, as Ramón Laureano struck out, Canha walked, Olson popped up and pinch-hitter Robbie Grossman struck out against Casey Sadler.
—Susan Slusser, SFChronicle.com, 26 Sep. 2020
Verb
In the post, Corcoran said she's had three facelifts, a lower eyelid skin pinch, a brow lift, a neck lift and an eyelift.
—Charles Trepany, USA Today, 18 June 2025
Tatis, who walked off the field under his own power, was replaced by a pinch runner.
—Dennis Lin, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Adjective
Toro came up big his next at-bat in the eighth with a single, and pinch runner Nate Eaton subsequently stole second and advanced to third on a ground out to move into scoring position.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 2 July 2025
One way to make tall varieties, which grow up to 4 feet, produce shorter, bushier plants is to pinch them back regularly.
—Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pinch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pinch
Noun
-
After the weapons theft, Jacquet reportedly received a phone call to set up a meeting.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
25 July 2025
-
The theft lasted around 30 seconds, the report states.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
24 July 2025
Noun
-
Alec Hegge, 31, worked with children on the autism spectrum at Changing Lives Behavior Analysis, Inc. in Anderson prior to his July 24 arrest.—
Ryan Murphy,
IndyStar,
25 July 2025
-
The card was discovered on his person at the scene of his arrest.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
25 July 2025
Noun
-
The reasons for the rapid decline in these industries include the shortage of younger generations that are willing to take over the labor-intensive family businesses and the increasing market competition against non-traditional food products.—
Akiko Katayama,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
-
It was further reported that The King’s Foundation brought in a specialist human resources consultancy, which upheld claims about staff shortages, inadequate management practices and low pay.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
31 July 2025
Verb
-
And believe it or not, plenty are genuinely comfortable, holding their own against traditional footwear.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
15 July 2025
-
Dreck is intended to highlight that rules are not alone in the regulatory universe, and urge that policymakers recognize and be held to account for the laundering of regulation by non-rule means to influence outcomes or inflict obligations, whether intentional or not.—
Clyde Wayne Crews Jr,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
According to police, West stole from his ex-girlfriend Nancy Jones.—
Gabrielle Chenault,
The Tennessean,
28 July 2025
-
The university's Davidge Hall once housed a small grayscale portrait of its namesake, dating to the 1800s, but that painting was stolen in the 1990s.—
Sonja Anderson,
Smithsonian Magazine,
28 July 2025
Verb
-
Leave your troubles behind and grab a lime, because Thursday is National Tequila Day.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
25 July 2025
-
Concerned, the roommates grabbed golf clubs from one of the first-floor bedrooms and checked the house for a possible intruder.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
24 July 2025
Verb
-
For more ways to save on your power bill or to see if opting out makes sense for your budget, visit Cyberguy.com/SaveonPower 7) Monitor comfort and performance Keep an eye on how your AC performs during demand events.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
14 July 2025
-
Their bravery and quick action undoubtedly saved many lives.—
Shane Croucher
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
The front is modest, but the oval cutout in the back gives it extra flair.—
Claire Harmeyer,
People.com,
1 Aug. 2025
-
Last year, a school contacted us looking for something to make graduation feel extra special.—
Douglas Gregory,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pinch. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
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