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
David Kushner, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2025
Among the royal gems that were pinched is a necklace, with eight sapphires and 631 diamonds, and the crown of Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III, encrusted with nearly 2,000 diamonds and 212 pearls.
—Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 20 Oct. 2025
Jordan Harris pinched down low but the Knights gained control and attacked.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
Nelson later explained that the explosion happened after the antenna lines pinched the battery layers together, causing a short circuit.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2025
Some even report being pinched and yanked at while in the room, staff say the pincher is the ghost of a homeless little girl who occupied the vacant prison during the Great Depression.
—Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 3 Oct. 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
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
Adjective
Soon after, the bust got pinched.
—David Kushner, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2025
Among the royal gems that were pinched is a necklace, with eight sapphires and 631 diamonds, and the crown of Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III, encrusted with nearly 2,000 diamonds and 212 pearls.
—Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 20 Oct. 2025
Jordan Harris pinched down low but the Knights gained control and attacked.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
Nelson later explained that the explosion happened after the antenna lines pinched the battery layers together, causing a short circuit.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2025
Some even report being pinched and yanked at while in the room, staff say the pincher is the ghost of a homeless little girl who occupied the vacant prison during the Great Depression.
—Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 3 Oct. 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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pinched
Verb
-
Yet, the club still nipped the Lakers on 2024-25 revenue, $620 million to $618 million, thanks to the playoff run—the Lakers lost in the first round.—
Kurt Badenhausen,
Sportico.com,
22 Oct. 2025
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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
Verb
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Just hours before the thieves quietly stole the historic coins, four chainsaw-wielding thieves broke into the Louvre Museum in Paris using a ladder boosted by a mechanical boom truck to force a window open at the famed museum and steal millions of dollars worth of jewelry.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
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Boasting a skinny heel and pointy toe, Williams’ patent leather heels stole the spotlight at the event, which was held at the Campoamor Theater in Oviedo, Spain.—
Kelsey Stewart,
Footwear News,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier were among those arrested in an FBI investigation into sports gambling.—
Evan Drellich,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Jones was arrested in Las Vegas on the same conspiracy charges as Rozier and on charges linked to the poker case.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The indictment alleged James collected thousands of dollars in rent and would have saved $17,837 over the life of the mortgage versus a loan at a higher rate.—
Pierre Thomas,
ABC News,
24 Oct. 2025
-
After almost getting run over by two cars in heavy rain, a tiny black kitten was saved by a kind stranger who stopped to help him and ended up taking him home.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
One key benefit is a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, Burbank said.—
Brian Mastroianni,
Health,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Drive at a reduced speed during wet weather.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa has been under glass since the 1950s, but not so in 1911, when Vincenzo Perrugia, a former museum staffer, hid in a cupboard overnight, then swiped what is now the world’s most famous painting and walked out with it under his coat.—
Sophie Friedman,
AFAR Media,
20 Oct. 2025
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Instead, the complaint alleges Martinez drove into and side-swiped a CBP vehicle.—
Josh Campbell,
CNN Money,
18 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pinched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pinched. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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