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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in reduced
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in gaunt
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pinched
Alana Semuels, Time, 30 Sep. 2025
Jean stepped out as Nia approached—lean and arrogant, a cigarette pinched between her lips.
—David Wright Faladé, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025
The mixture should be shaggy and hold together when pinched.
—Staff Author, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Sep. 2025
And more importantly, between somewhat-high consumer prices and an iffy job market, many Americans continue to feel pinched.
—Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Chinese consumers have even reported an increase in finger injuries as they get trapped or pinched.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 10 Sep. 2025
Then Shelton’s shoulder pinched.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
In July 2023, as shoppers feeling pinched by inflation curtailed their spending, Target said its comparable sales declined for the first time in six years.
—Anne D’innocenzio, Twin Cities, 20 Aug. 2025
Some plants with tough stems require cutting the stem for removal, while other plants with softer stems can be pinched back to remove flower heads by hand.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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
Jean stepped out as Nia approached—lean and arrogant, a cigarette pinched between her lips.
—David Wright Faladé, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025
The mixture should be shaggy and hold together when pinched.
—Staff Author, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Sep. 2025
And more importantly, between somewhat-high consumer prices and an iffy job market, many Americans continue to feel pinched.
—Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Chinese consumers have even reported an increase in finger injuries as they get trapped or pinched.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 10 Sep. 2025
Then Shelton’s shoulder pinched.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
In July 2023, as shoppers feeling pinched by inflation curtailed their spending, Target said its comparable sales declined for the first time in six years.
—Anne D’innocenzio, Twin Cities, 20 Aug. 2025
Some plants with tough stems require cutting the stem for removal, while other plants with softer stems can be pinched back to remove flower heads by hand.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pinched
Verb
-
However, Lefty nipped the rumor in the bud by posting on X that there is no chance of this happening.—
Julio Cesar Valdera Morales,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
-
The winger nipped in and poked the ball through to Diego Gomez, who had already pushed up to press Chalobah for the previous pass.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Yes, Gein dug up graves and stole body parts.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Swift stole Smashing Machine‘s Dolby Cinemas.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
He was arrested in November 1957 after the body of local hardware store owner and shopkeeper Bernice Worden, 58, was found hanging from hooks and mutilated in his shed.—
JR Radcliffe,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Ongoing litigation In recent months, more than 400 Venezuelans with TPS have been arrested during ICE check-ins and traffic stops, even though the protections were supposed to be in place before Friday’s ruling.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Meanwhile, the system saved Paley more than 10 hours a week, time that can be reinvested into guest service and staff training.—
Adam Mills,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Homegrown berries have saved the family ~$40 per month, Leonard says.—
Mark Dent,
HubSpot,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Drive at a reduced speed during wet weather.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Two administrators from a closed Waukesha day care entered pleas on reduced misdemeanor charges for failing to report child abuse.—
Jim Riccioli,
jsonline.com,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
And in a third, the gaunt 30-year-old killer flexes, purses his lips and squints.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The apparently recent footage showed two hostages -- Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Alon Ohel -- looking gaunt and exhausted while being driven around Gaza City.—
WAFAA SHURAFA,
Arkansas Online,
7 Sep. 2025
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
Verb
-
Whitlock saw enormous success with the ’21 club after the Red Sox swiped him from the Yankees in Rule 5 Draft.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
27 Sep. 2025
-
One Philadelphia fan said seven tickets acquired for their brother’s bachelor party were swiped sometime before the day of the game.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pinched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pinched. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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