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
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
Weston Wilson pinch ran for Bader as the potential winning run. Matt Gelb, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025 Modeled after the proportions of an adult male hand, the DG-5F supports various grip patterns such as pinch, power, and precision grips, enabling it to handle a wide range of tasks, from delicate manipulation to firm grasping. Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Bring edges of dough over apple mixture; shape into a ball, pinching and tucking dough edges to seal. Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Sep. 2025 Traveling has gotten even more difficult in recent weeks after Doreen pinched a nerve in her spine and is now unable to lift Dan’s scooter. Alana Semuels, Time, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pinch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pinch
Noun
  • The National Museum of the American Indian recalls how Indigenous peoples suffered theft, loss of their homelands, enslavement, death, forced displacement and disrupted cultural traditions due to European settlement.
    Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 12 Oct. 2025
  • With theft rates reportedly climbing 93% in 2024, the push for high-tech security has never been stronger.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The 94-minute film weaves together interviews with the investigators who helped uncover BTK’s identity with Rawson’s personal reflections on her relationship with her father, both before and since his arrest and conviction.
    Addie Morfoot, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Over the next several months, Tipton was developed as a suspect, which ultimately led to her arrest and conviction.
    Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Recovering and processing that gas, instead of wasting it, could ease Iraq's chronic power shortages.
    Emma Graham, CNBC, 15 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, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • But as Muttaqi went about a public relations blitz in India and held talks with Indian officials, deadly clashes erupted along the Durand Line border between Pakistan and Afghanistan in recent days.
    Happymon Jacob, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Lyon has earned the net Alex Lyon was playing his fourth game in seven days and still held steady for most of the night.
    Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Baltasar Rodriguez had stolen the ball from an Atlanta defender and crossed the ball to Messi.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Look no further than Saturday’s Game 5, when both the Cubs and Brewers used an opener followed by a bulk reliever, and rookie Misiorowski stole the show with four strong innings to help the Brewers advance.
    Chad Jennings, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In grabbing McNeeley in the same class as Knueppel, Sion James and Ryan Kalkbrenner, Charlotte wanted to infuse its roster with youthful players boasting an old school mentality.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 13 Oct. 2025
  • If her vibe is all about being cute yet comfy, grab the matching shorts for extra brownie points.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Glamour, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Just this summer, in June, the board approved moving seventh- and eighth-grade students from yellow school buses to the Metro in a move that saves CPS almost $3 million per year.
    Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Oct. 2025
  • That is, aside from the hijinks of Trump trying to kill his unborn baby to save his nights at Mar-a-Lago.
    Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Our hearts are extra full this week 🥰 #DedicationNight featuring our stars’ special guests is TONIGHT - 8/7c on ABC and Disney+.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Oct. 2025
  • For a little extra fiber in the morning, consider adding an apple to your meal to help get things moving.
    Sherri Gordon, Health, 14 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pinch. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on pinch

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!