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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pinch
Susan Slusser, SFChronicle.com, 26 Sep. 2020
Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Sep. 2025
Instead of closing out the series, Rivera opened by walking Kevin Millar, who was replaced by pinch runner Dave Roberts.
—Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 30 Sep. 2025
ArsTechnica, 22 Sep. 2025
Besides pinching, the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses can also be controlled using the Meta AI voice assistant, just as users can with the device’s predecessors.
—Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 20 Sep. 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
This marbled glass cellar, in my favorite moody mix of rust and olive, is smaller than the Bee House, but the swirly colors bring me so much joy with every lid lift and pinch.
—Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Sep. 2025
Instead of closing out the series, Rivera opened by walking Kevin Millar, who was replaced by pinch runner Dave Roberts.
—Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Now, every webpage could be viewed natively on the phone’s browser, and zooming into a section was as easy as pinching or double-tapping.
—ArsTechnica, 22 Sep. 2025
Besides pinching, the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses can also be controlled using the Meta AI voice assistant, just as users can with the device’s predecessors.
—Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pinch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pinch
Noun
-
Online court records indicated to investigators that Arfsten was released on bail in a felony theft case at the time of the South Milwaukee incident.—
Erik S. Hanley,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Some of the commandments overlap with criminal law, such as prohibitions on murder and theft, but others do not.—
Jessie Balmert,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Federal immigration agents carried out a weeklong enforcement campaign across central Florida that led to the arrest of more than 400 migrants without legal status, officials say.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Javice, who lives in Florida, has been free on $2 million bail since her 2023 arrest.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The federal government officially began a partial shutdown with no last-minute drama or shortage of finger-pointing from Democrats and Republicans, each of whom was content to blame the other for the impasse.—
Lorenzino Estrada,
AZCentral.com,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The outbreak was forcing a shortage of eggs as well, leading some grocers to restrict how many dozens of eggs consumers could buy per visit.—
Olivia Evans,
Louisville Courier Journal,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Republicans balked, accusing Democrats of holding the government hostage by standing in the way of continued federal funding unless their health-care demands are met.—
Kevin Breuninger,Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
-
While Avatar 2 will have 90% of the Imax, One Battle After Another will hold onto its Imax 70MM auditoriums.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Of course, due to all of these developments, everyone finally knows that the man who kidnapped Sam and stole the dope is Robbie Pendergrast.—
Grace Byron,
Vulture,
6 Oct. 2025
-
But their double life gets complicated when a rival boy band harboring a sinister secret starts to steal their fans.—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Today is the last day to grab a lifetime license for Windows 11 Pro for only $13 (reg.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
30 Sep. 2025
-
As the clock expired on a win Brian Daboll desperately needed, the New York Giants coach grabbed rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart.—
Dan Duggan,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Blood is always poised and ready to clot, because the body sees this as a life-saving mechanism.—
Bryant Stamford,
Louisville Courier Journal,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Is intuitive budgeting effective for saving money?—
Andreina Rodriguez,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
But what puts the Porkers over the top is a deep lineup of players like twins Emily Hagan and Grace Hagan (both Temple lacrosse commits), who pack an extra dose of athleticism and competitiveness, with skills that translate from lacrosse.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Having this cause in my life gives me an extra way to connect with people and begin a dialogue on an important issue.—
Maureen Carrig,
CNBC,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pinch. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share