1
as in reduced
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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
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pinched
Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 30 May 2026
Fonseca served out under pressure to take the match into a deciding set, and when Djokovic, a master of closing, pinched an early break for 3-1, Fonseca simply broke back immediately.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Many herbs should be pinched back to produce new branches and to keep fresh, tender leaves appearing throughout the summer.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 28 May 2026
While that gain outpaced the rate of inflation in 2025, many workers were still feeling pinched by the accumulation of higher prices over the past few years and had to cut corners to make ends meet and run up credit card debt to pay for everyday necessities.
—Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
Walls swung away, rolled a ball through the infield that was pinched in and scored Mullins.
—Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2026
Lately, the day-to-night, slip-on shoe has been showing up with ruching — as in, the upper is pinched along the edge to create an interesting textural effect.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 13 May 2026
Households, meanwhile, are being pinched by higher fuel prices, airfare and other expenses.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 12 May 2026
These fall-blooming asters have generally been pinched and forced several times throughout the growing season.
—Marie Iannotti, The Spruce, 9 May 2026
Verb
Petritz says leaves with sunscald can be pinched off.
—Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 30 May 2026
Fonseca served out under pressure to take the match into a deciding set, and when Djokovic, a master of closing, pinched an early break for 3-1, Fonseca simply broke back immediately.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Many herbs should be pinched back to produce new branches and to keep fresh, tender leaves appearing throughout the summer.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 28 May 2026
While that gain outpaced the rate of inflation in 2025, many workers were still feeling pinched by the accumulation of higher prices over the past few years and had to cut corners to make ends meet and run up credit card debt to pay for everyday necessities.
—Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
Walls swung away, rolled a ball through the infield that was pinched in and scored Mullins.
—Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2026
Lately, the day-to-night, slip-on shoe has been showing up with ruching — as in, the upper is pinched along the edge to create an interesting textural effect.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 13 May 2026
Households, meanwhile, are being pinched by higher fuel prices, airfare and other expenses.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 12 May 2026
These fall-blooming asters have generally been pinched and forced several times throughout the growing season.
—Marie Iannotti, The Spruce, 9 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pinched
Adjective
-
An electric boat promotes responsible experiences, operating emission-free and with reduced noise pollution.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
The semaglutide medication slows the digestive system, and combined with reduced appetite and lower fluid intake, that can leave users feeling backed up for weeks at a time.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
Gilbert, now imprisoned at Clinton Correctional Facility in upstate New York, appeared gaunt and withdrawn during the interview, at times mumbling short responses before abruptly cutting the conversation short.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
27 May 2026
-
When supermodels ruled the runway, low-rise pants hugged our hips, everyone smoked cigarettes, grunge was a music genre and an aesthetic, and looking scrawny and gaunt was considered attractive.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But Sweeney nipped that idea in the bud.—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
1 June 2026
-
Darby hit a Scorpion Death Drop and nipped up to his feet.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
The Office Romance actress stole the show at the Netflix film’s New York City premiere on June 2, dazzling in a naked illusion corset gown that covered her curves in dreamy blooms.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
3 June 2026
-
Andujar reached on an infield single to start the fourth inning and stole second base on the final pitch of Jackson Merrill’s strikeout.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Oppenheimer, 35 of Cambridge, was arrested in July 2024 and pleaded guilty in January to one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and two counts of wire fraud.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
-
At least 45 people were arrested in Paris on Saturday after celebrations over Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League victory descended into chaos, with fires set, businesses vandalized and crowds clashing with police.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Kahanamoku not only saved lives using his surfboard that fateful day off Corona del Mar, but the use of rescue boards was adopted around the world in the following years because of that rescue.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
3 June 2026
-
Though locals were relieved to see that the basketball courts were saved, concerns over the redesign remained.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
3 June 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
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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 6 Jun. 2026.
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