1
as in reduced
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Dissimilar Words
2
as in gaunt
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
1
2
as in stole
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 arrested
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 saved
to avoid unnecessary waste or expense
if we pinch hard for the upcoming year, we can probably afford the vacation at that fancy resort
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pinched
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026
The toe strap was pinched at the center, creating a peep-toe-like design.
—Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 23 Apr. 2026
Should this be necessary, especially for families already getting pinched at the grocery store and gas pump?
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 15 Apr. 2026
During that time, the world’s oil supply will remain pinched.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2026
He’s been there for more than 40 years, but the plaque telling his story to passersby got pinched a long time ago.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
At one point during the scuffle, McGinnis was lifted from the ground as the officers and senator were trying to physically remove him, and his left hand was apparently pinched in the gap between the hinge side of the door and the adjacent molding.
—Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 5 Mar. 2026
Hosts Newcastle United had 10 men for the whole of the second half but somehow pinched a 2-1 win in the final throes of the contest.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Higher gas prices would crimp household budgets at a time when many consumers are already feeling pinched by an affordability crunch, with Americans expressing concerns about the rising cost of food, health care and housing.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
Verb
Stems can be pinched back to stimulate more growth as needed.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026
The toe strap was pinched at the center, creating a peep-toe-like design.
—Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 23 Apr. 2026
Should this be necessary, especially for families already getting pinched at the grocery store and gas pump?
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 15 Apr. 2026
During that time, the world’s oil supply will remain pinched.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2026
He’s been there for more than 40 years, but the plaque telling his story to passersby got pinched a long time ago.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
At one point during the scuffle, McGinnis was lifted from the ground as the officers and senator were trying to physically remove him, and his left hand was apparently pinched in the gap between the hinge side of the door and the adjacent molding.
—Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 5 Mar. 2026
Hosts Newcastle United had 10 men for the whole of the second half but somehow pinched a 2-1 win in the final throes of the contest.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Higher gas prices would crimp household budgets at a time when many consumers are already feeling pinched by an affordability crunch, with Americans expressing concerns about the rising cost of food, health care and housing.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pinched
Adjective
-
Drive at a reduced speed during wet weather.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Over time, maintaining cleaner air can help reduce allergy flare-ups and other respiratory issues, potentially leading to lower medical expenses and a reduced reliance on ongoing treatments.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In the courtroom, Alfortish’s face looked gaunt after spending roughly a year in prison, and his hair, thinning now, had gone white.—
Patrick Radden Keefe,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
We’re introduced to its uncanny backdrop through the eyes of protagonist Heinrich, or Hein (Paul Boche), a gaunt young man who returns by boat after 14 years away.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In 1968, an overzealous pup nipped a postman delivering mail to Balmoral Castle.—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Merrimack College was eliminated by North Dakota, Providence College was bounced by Quinnipiac and the University of Connecticut was nipped by Michigan State on Thursday.—
Barry Scanlon,
Boston Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That Derby was won by War Emblem, a small-boned speedball who stole the race on the front end after having been sold by his geriatric owner to Saudi Arabian Prince Ahmed bin Salman for $900,000 three weeks before.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The Marlins opened the scoring in the second inning when Agustin Ramirez was hit on the left wrist by a pitch, stole second, advanced to third on an Ohtani throwing error and scored on a sacrifice fly from Caissie.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In a letter to senators earlier this year, then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said that between January and November of last year, 261 DACA recipients were arrested and 86 were removed from the country.—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Three people were arrested after shots were fired at officers attempting to pull a vehicle over in the Brighton Park neighborhood, Chicago police said.—
Deanese Williams-Harris,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Trump, in remarks to reporters after the dinner, said the suspect shot one Secret Service agent at close range and that the agent was saved by a bulletproof vest.—
Josh Meyer,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
These rules also apply to child influencers, whose income must be saved the same way.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Rocking back and forth nervously during a television appearance, a haggard-looking Diaz-Canel acknowledged the same talks, which his government had denied were taking place just days before.—
Patrick Oppmann,
CNN Money,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Wrexham, meanwhile, was near the bottom, struggling in England’s lowest division under a haggard fan-ownership group keeping it on life support.—
Justin Birnbaum,
Sportico.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The rapper, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, has been held at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center since he was arrested in September 2024.—
Daniel S. Levine,
People.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
That means every state budget could be held hostage until the whims of a small fraction of legislators is satisfied.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pinched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pinched. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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