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
Carole Kotkin, Miami Herald, 23 July 2025
Dress your salad with olive oil, fresh lime juice, and a pinch of salt.
16.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 22 July 2025
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 16 July 2025
Its main coup is Álex Baena—the playmaker pinched from Villarreal for €50 million ($58 million) including achievable extras at the start of July.
—Henry Flynn, Forbes.com, 28 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
Divide between 4 wide, shallow bowls and serve with a little more Parmesan grated over each serving and a pinch of the remaining lemon zest.
—Carole Kotkin, Miami Herald, 23 July 2025
Dress your salad with olive oil, fresh lime juice, and a pinch of salt.
16.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 22 July 2025
Adjective
Tips for Successful Deadheading Use pruners if a flower stem resists pinching to avoid damaging the plant.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 16 July 2025
Its main coup is Álex Baena—the playmaker pinched from Villarreal for €50 million ($58 million) including achievable extras at the start of July.
—Henry Flynn, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pinch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pinch
Noun
-
While vehicle theft claims don’t distinguish between full vehicle versus partial theft, the report's methodology considered the monetary value lost as result of the theft.—
Stuart Dyos,
USA Today,
18 Aug. 2025
-
The auto theft occurred about 6:15 p.m. at Town Center Service Road and West Seminary Drive, a Fort Worth police spokesperson said.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The Texas House speaker issued arrest warrants for the missing Democrats, and Gov. Greg Abbott, a Trump ally, went to court to try to start removing some from office and replace them.—
Larry Kaplow,
NPR,
18 Aug. 2025
-
Fisher was in custody in Iowa on unrelated charges when he was served an arrest warrant.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The idea for Draft One came from staffing shortages that Axon’s police department clients were facing, Isner said.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
12 Aug. 2025
-
Companies are experimenting with deep-sea tech to produce cheaper fresh water From Cape Town to Tehran to Lima to Phoenix, dozens of cities across the globe have experienced water shortages recently.—
Vanessa Bates Ramirez,
Scientific American,
11 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
He is being held without bond at the Washington County Detention Center.—
NWA Democrat-Gazette,
Arkansas Online,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Regardless of what the future holds, Roman Anthony has set himself and his family up for life, and the Red Sox have locked in yet another piece of their future at a reasonable rate.—
Dan Freedman,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The gaming community was hit with another delay of Grand Theft Auto 6 earlier this year and that means those who were hoping to spend the fall months stealing cars and evading the police are needing something to fill that void.—
Meredith G. White,
AZCentral.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The Thunder star and Converse stole the show that weekend, making their presence felt all over the city with signage and an epic pop-up that gave fans a first look at the SHAI 001 in person.—
Nick Crain,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Four prisoners had to take turns using a bunk bed just to grab a few hours of sleep.—
Michael Collins,
USA Today,
18 Aug. 2025
-
But Sunday, unfortunately for him, slipped away quickly as World No. 1 grabbed his fifth season title.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The fact that this movie is streaming on Amazon and Amazon is presented as the only thing that could ever save humanity from an existential threat is hilarious.—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
It’s become a reviewer-favorite for its wrinkle-free fabric, which will save time getting dressed in the morning.—
Rylee Johnston,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Superintendent Myriam Rogers said a union poll showed more teachers wanted to have a half-day on Thanksgiving than an extra day in the school year.—
Racquel Bazos,
Baltimore Sun,
13 Aug. 2025
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The biggest advantages for me are eliminating an extra device to carry, and the price: satellite messaging is free for two years after the activation of the phone.—
Alex Hutchinson,
Outside,
12 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pinch. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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