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
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
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
Could the group get pinched to take an extra DL, corner or another position?
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 15 Aug. 2025
In the ninth minute, Barcola skipped past Danso but the Portuguese midfielder tracked back and pinched the ball.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025
This hormone allows your ligaments to loosen, and your nerves may become pinched, which can lead to a tingling feeling.
—Erika W. Smith, Refinery29, 7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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
Could the group get pinched to take an extra DL, corner or another position?
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 15 Aug. 2025
In the ninth minute, Barcola skipped past Danso but the Portuguese midfielder tracked back and pinched the ball.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025
This hormone allows your ligaments to loosen, and your nerves may become pinched, which can lead to a tingling feeling.
—Erika W. Smith, Refinery29, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pinched
Verb
-
Ohtani struck out him out looking twice, once on a backdoor sweeper and once on a 101 mph fastball that nipped the corner.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Two bedrooms on the top floor each have a private bath, and two more nipped down in the basement share a hall bath.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Roberts and Robinson, who federal prosecutors say conducted the scheme over the course of five years, between 2018 and 2023, allegedly stole $900,000 from the court system.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The weekly jobs report stole the spotlight, as an unexpected jump to multiyear highs bolstered fears about cracks in the labor market.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Bennett Lembke, a 34-year-old Caldwell resident, was arrested following a traffic stop in Thurston County, Washington, after Boise police identified him as the suspect and issued a warrant, the agency said in a news release Thursday evening.—
Alex Brizee,
Idaho Statesman,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Fort Worth police arrested him on suspicion of two offenses.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Electronics Finds like televisions, vintage type writers, dial phones, and vintage radios may have been saved by the homeowners for the sake of nostalgia, but might not actually work anymore.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Because everything was kept in one place, when the user saved the system state to a floppy disk, their entire workspace was frozen and stored in its entirety.—
Cameron Kaiser,
ArsTechnica,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Drive at a reduced speed during wet weather.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Drive at a reduced speed during wet weather.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 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
-
This is a guy who swiped 32 bases a year ago and socked 28 homers two years ago.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Since Baldelli had this discussion with his team, the Twins have swiped 30 bases, second in the majors to just the New York Mets.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pinched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pinched. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share