pinch 1 of 3

pinch

2 of 3

verb

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
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

pinch

3 of 3

adjective

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

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
Noun
As ongoing inflation continues to deplete household budgets, perhaps nowhere is the pinch felt more strongly than in grocery aisles. Anne Marie D. Lee, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2025 Whisk in the vinegar, lemon juice and a pinch of salt and black pepper to taste. Wire Report, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2025
Verb
The team was inspired by the taxonomy of gestures used with 2D elastic displays and touch screens: swiping, for instance, or pinching in and out to make an image larger or smaller. ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2025 Spurs, like United, like Chelsea, have quickly grown to the point where the club’s ability to stand on its own two feet is pinched without income from the Champions League. Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 23 Apr. 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 See All Example Sentences for pinch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pinch
Noun
  • Here’s how Alcatraz earned its reputation Clarence and John’s last theft was of a tiny bank in Columbia, Alabama, the records show.
    Andy Rose, CNN Money, 11 May 2025
  • Sharp had a history of several arrests in burglaries and thefts of catalytic converters, according to the warrant.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 May 2025
Noun
  • Soon after his arrest, Rogers claimed to have killed Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman in Los Angeles in June 1994, and about 70 people overall.
    Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • No citations have been issued nor have any arrests been made, but that may change as the investigation progresses, Spicer said.
    Marc Hayot, Arkansas Online, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • The Philadelphia air traffic control facility that handles flights at Newark is also experiencing a staffing shortage.
    Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 19 May 2025
  • In their open letter this spring, former weather service directors warned that severe staffing shortages at local weather service offices could lead to less accurate and detailed forecasts this summer.
    Rebecca Hersher, NPR, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • Particularly in less densely populated parts of America, plenty of government officials and citizens still hold a grudge over the way businesses and schools were temporarily shut down.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 17 May 2025
  • The result is partial solutions that rarely hold under pressure.
    Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • Trailing in the second inning, Alexis Ramirez reached base on a hit up the middle, then stole second.
    Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2025
  • The ‘Turkey Brothers’ steal the encore with a boisterous jam As fans begged for an encore to an empty stage, an unlikely guest took center stage.
    Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • Combs returns to the scene shortly thereafter and appears to grab at the phone.
    Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 14 May 2025
  • The Pineapple Express actress allegedly grabbed and struck van Ree's arm in an altercation at a Seattle airport.
    Alex Gurley, People.com, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • To say that is an insult to the years of painful work my wife has done to save herself.
    Jay Stahl, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • America’s millionaires are now mostly on the coasts, in states with expensive real estate and high income jobs that generate more possibilities to save and invest.
    Mark Dent, HubSpot, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • Liquid laundry sanitizers offer an extra level of cleaning, but they should only be used in limited circumstances.
    Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 May 2025
  • There’s just an extra level of DGAF playfulness going on now.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 20 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pinch. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

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