PINCHED Synonyms: 276 Similar and Opposite Words

pinched 1 of 2

adjective

as in reduced

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Dissimilar Words

as in gaunt

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Dissimilar Words

pinched

2 of 2

verb

past tense of pinch

as in nipped

to squeeze tightly between two surfaces, edges, or points the zipper on those jeans always pinches me

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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

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 pinched

Verb

Many teachers and residents across the county are feeling pinched by Johnson County’s rising costs of living. — Taylor O'Connor 15, Kansas City Star, 15 July 2026 But the chairman also acknowledged how consumers are feeling pinched by years of high inflation. — Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 14 July 2026 This decline has pinched profit margins in the 401(k) world, said Kai Richter, an attorney with Cohen Milstein who has long specialized in ERISA class-action cases. — Paul Kiel, ProPublica, 8 July 2026 My thumb and index finger pinched together to grab a dime, while my middle finger reached farther to pick up coins that had rolled under the edge of a cabinet. — Steven Lautzenheiser, The Conversation, 6 July 2026 Paintings of Rush made in his lifetime depicted a man with flat hair and long, pinched features. — Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 3 July 2026 This particular segment featured a group including Maria Gorskikh of Maritime, Andrew Mead of Vector Lab and others, discussing how to move forward with OpenClaw, without getting pinched. — John Werner, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 With many families increasingly financially pinched, some are turning to credit cards and other forms of debt to cover daily expenses, which could also contribute to their pessimism about the economy, Hanks said. — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 30 June 2026 The skin still looks smooth, but some changes are visible when pinched. — Rena Goldman, Health, 28 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pinched

Adjective

Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries had doubled since the beginning of 2026, Reuters reported, contributing to refinery shutdowns and reduced production of gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.

— Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026
Many of those prosecuted cooperated with US authorities in exchange for reduced sentences, which aided in the trial against El Chapo, who was also sentenced to life in prison in 2019.

— Sol Amaya, CNN Money, 20 July 2026

Definition of reduced

Adjective

The church’s punishment, however, delivered in front of the congregants, is an eerie ritual performed by a gaunt, severe visitor (Nicholas Hope).

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
Brig is in the Upper Valais, a gaunt and conservative place where the inhabitants speak Walliser German, an Alpine dialect that many Swiss people find unintelligible.

— Sam Knight, New Yorker, 1 June 2026

Definition of gaunt

Verb

Both Wood and Abrams spent the offseason making sure that the issues that disrupted last year’s production — for Wood, strengthening his lower half, and for Abrams, fixing his bat path and rotation — were nipped in the bud.

— Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 16 July 2026
As the defender swung his leg at the ball, Yamal nipped in ahead of him and was accidentally kicked by Digne.

— Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 14 July 2026

Definition of nipped

Verb

More than six weeks after copper thieves stole its air-conditioning units, the Centre Branch Post Office in Arden Arcade’s Country Club neighborhood remains without central air conditioning, leaving employees and customers to endure the summer heat.

— Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 17 July 2026
His specific lie is that Joe Biden stole the election, a plot that, had it been carried out, would have required Biden to be certified as its winner.

— Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026

Definition of stole

Verb

In a statement posted to X Sunday, McBride said the brothers were arrested for their politics and are being held in solitary confinement.

— Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
Four men were arrested last month for allegedly conspiring to plan an attack on the ‘Freedom 250’ UFC event on June 14 on the lawn of the White House by using drones modified to carry explosives.

— Adam Leventhal, New York Times, 19 July 2026

Definition of arrested

Verb

Despite arriving in February 1992 with no coaching experience whatsoever, Keegan saved Newcastle from the precipice.

— James Pearce, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Firefighters battled the blaze inside the village and saved all the local homes, even if two barns went up in flames, Moreno said, adding that the firefighters should receive as much admiration as the soccer players who won the World Cup on Sunday.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026

Definition of saved

Adjective

With opportunities to earn money, buy properties and negotiate deals, the contestants must work to stay afloat as the bankrupt players get eliminated, with only one player left standing.

— Tanya Fedak, Variety, 13 July 2026
One by one, bankrupt players are eliminated — until a single winner is left standing to take it all.

— Peter White, Deadline, 13 July 2026

Definition of bankrupt

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

Definition of haggard

Cite this Entry

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“Pinched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pinched. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of pinched

adjective

verb

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