Synonyms of pinch

pinch 1 of 3

noun

1

as in theft

an instance of theft

the pinch of my favorite sweater really bugged me!

Synonyms & Similar Words

• theft
• grab
• snatching
• swiping
• heist
• rip-off
• mugging
• break-in
• holdup
• burglary
• stickup

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

• arrest
• arrestment
• raid
• collar
• apprehension
• bust
• capture
• seizure
• restraint
• imprisonment
• house arrest
• entrapment
• hold
• confinement
• detention
• captivity
• incarceration
• remand
• enchainment
• immurement
• rearrest

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discharge
• release
• liberation
• emancipation

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

• shortage
• lack
• deficiency
• deficit
• crunch
• scarcity
• drought
• absence
• paucity
• famine
• poverty
• inadequacy
• insufficiency
• dearth
• failure
• want
• lacuna
• scantiness
• scarceness
• inadequateness
• undersupply
• omission
• necessity
• need
• privation
• skimpiness
• poorness
• meagerness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• plenty
• abundance
• wealth
• amplitude
• sufficiency
• adequacy
• opulence
• plenitude
• excess
• surplus
• copiousness
• overabundance
• surfeit
• bountifulness
• oversupply

pinch

2 of 3

verb

ˈpinch 

1

as in to hold

to squeeze tightly between two surfaces, edges, or points

the zipper on those jeans always pinches me

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hold
• nip
• grip
• clutch
• grasp
• clasp
• take
• crimp
• tweak

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• drop
• release
• free
• loosen
• spring
• loose

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

• steal
• swipe
• lift
• grab
• pocket
• nip
• pilfer
• snatch
• filch
• rob
• hook
• appropriate
• purloin
• nick
• rip off
• boost
• snitch
• thieve
• run off with
• walk off with
• misappropriate
• sack
• take
• make away with
• make off with
• pick
• hijack
• seize
• heist
• knock over
• plunder
• loot
• rifle
• pillage
• poach
• burglarize
• grasp
• spirit
• kidnap
• shoplift
• rustle
• sponge
• collar
• nail
• abduct
• carjack
• shanghai
• mooch

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• buy
• purchase
• give
• contribute
• present
• donate
• bestow
• hand over

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

• arrest
• grab
• seize
• restrain
• apprehend
• run in
• nick
• detain
• pull in
• capture
• nail
• snatch
• nab
• bust
• pick up
• catch
• commit
• collar
• jail
• trap
• hook
• bind
• snap (up)
• snare
• get
• hold
• confine
• bag
• grapple
• land
• imprison
• incarcerate
• lock (up)
• jug
• handcuff
• shackle
• intern
• enchain
• immure
• manacle
• fetter
• trammel
• remand
• rearrest

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discharge
• loosen
• loose
• free
• release
• spring
• liberate
• emancipate
• unbind
• unchain

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

• save
• spare
• conserve
• economize
• skimp
• manage
• pinch pennies
• scrimp
• preserve
• scrape
• husband
• maintain
• cut down
• cut back
• hoard
• lay up
• retrench

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• waste
• spend
• blow
• throw away
• lavish
• run through
• squander
• dissipate
• misspend
• splurge
• fritter (away)

pinch

3 of 3

adjective

as in extra

Related Words

• extra
• substitute
• alternative
• makeshift
• alternate
• different
• other
• second
• separate
• spare
• new
• substitutive
• improvised
• another
• utility
• successive
• equivalent
• jury

Dissimilar Words

• first
• original
• same
• former
• equal
• permanent
• identical
• lasting

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun pinch differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of pinch are contingency, crisis, emergency, exigency, juncture, straits, and strait. While all these words mean "a critical or crucial time or state of affairs," pinch implies urgency or pressure for action to a less intense degree than exigency or emergency.

come through in a pinch

When can contingency be used instead of pinch?

In some situations, the words contingency and pinch are roughly equivalent. However, contingency implies an emergency or exigency that is regarded as possible but uncertain of occurrence.

contingency plans

Where would crisis be a reasonable alternative to pinch?

The meanings of crisis and pinch largely overlap; however, crisis applies to a juncture whose outcome will make a decisive difference.

a crisis of confidence

When is emergency a more appropriate choice than pinch?

While the synonyms emergency and pinch are close in meaning, emergency applies to a sudden unforeseen situation requiring prompt action to avoid disaster.

the presence of mind needed to deal with emergencies

When would exigency be a good substitute for pinch?

The words exigency and pinch can be used in similar contexts, but exigency stresses the pressure of restrictions or urgency of demands created by a special situation.

provide for exigencies

When is it sensible to use juncture instead of pinch?

The words juncture and pinch are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, juncture stresses the significant concurrence or convergence of events.

an important juncture in our country's history

How are the words strait and straits related as synonyms of pinch?

Strait, now commonly straits, applies to a troublesome situation from which escape is extremely difficult.

in dire straits

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of pinch

Noun

The most recent business feeling the penny pinch? —Mike Snider, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025

Katelaine McGee, founder of Katelaine McGee Interiors in Dallas, Texas, strongly recommends swapping out your grommet-style drapes with pinch pleats for a look that’s timeless, elegant, and just as grown-up as you. —Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025

Verb

Hold the lemon peel by its long edges, skin facing down into the glass, pinch the peel to release the citrus oils then discard the lemon peel. —The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 28 Oct. 2025

While there have been many fine adaptations of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, Alastair Sim's performance as the miserly, penny-pinching Ebenezer Scrooge elevates this version to must-see status. —Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Oct. 2025

Adjective

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

Phrases Containing pinch

• pinch hitter
• pinch pennies