1
as in reduced
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Dissimilar Words
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
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pinched
Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2026
He’s been there for more than 40 years, but the plaque telling his story to passersby got pinched a long time ago.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
At one point during the scuffle, McGinnis was lifted from the ground as the officers and senator were trying to physically remove him, and his left hand was apparently pinched in the gap between the hinge side of the door and the adjacent molding.
—Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 5 Mar. 2026
Hosts Newcastle United had 10 men for the whole of the second half but somehow pinched a 2-1 win in the final throes of the contest.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Higher gas prices would crimp household budgets at a time when many consumers are already feeling pinched by an affordability crunch, with Americans expressing concerns about the rising cost of food, health care and housing.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
The shelves are bare, and the pennies are being pinched.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2026
Daintily pinched fabric on the hem of a flat sheet is almost like a little secret.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 28 Feb. 2026
Like Home Depot, Lowe’s has felt pinched by a tougher backdrop for the industry.
—Melissa Repko, CNBC, 25 Feb. 2026
Verb
During that time, the world’s oil supply will remain pinched.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2026
He’s been there for more than 40 years, but the plaque telling his story to passersby got pinched a long time ago.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
At one point during the scuffle, McGinnis was lifted from the ground as the officers and senator were trying to physically remove him, and his left hand was apparently pinched in the gap between the hinge side of the door and the adjacent molding.
—Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 5 Mar. 2026
Hosts Newcastle United had 10 men for the whole of the second half but somehow pinched a 2-1 win in the final throes of the contest.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Higher gas prices would crimp household budgets at a time when many consumers are already feeling pinched by an affordability crunch, with Americans expressing concerns about the rising cost of food, health care and housing.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
The shelves are bare, and the pennies are being pinched.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2026
Daintily pinched fabric on the hem of a flat sheet is almost like a little secret.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 28 Feb. 2026
Like Home Depot, Lowe’s has felt pinched by a tougher backdrop for the industry.
—Melissa Repko, CNBC, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pinched
Adjective
-
The east wind should help steer much of the smoke toward the west, so areas along the Gulf Coast near Naples and Marco Island will likely deal with reduced visibility and lower air quality.—
Lissette Gonzalez,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Drive at a reduced speed during wet weather.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In the courtroom, Alfortish’s face looked gaunt after spending roughly a year in prison, and his hair, thinning now, had gone white.—
Patrick Radden Keefe,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
We’re introduced to its uncanny backdrop through the eyes of protagonist Heinrich, or Hein (Paul Boche), a gaunt young man who returns by boat after 14 years away.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Merrimack College was eliminated by North Dakota, Providence College was bounced by Quinnipiac and the University of Connecticut was nipped by Michigan State on Thursday.—
Barry Scanlon,
Boston Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
-
There was also a scuba aesthetic that continued from last season with honkering inflatable coats, cocooning anoraks, and neoprene blazers nipped at the waist that looked like couture life vests and scuba suits.—
Kevin Huynh,
InStyle,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Jackson Merrill followed with a single and stole second before Bogaerts hit a two-run single to center.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
One laborer stole a parking placard and made a copy of it in order to park in a secure lot, the OIG found.—
Talia Soglin,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
He gets arrested for shoplifting.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
-
The Riverside County Sheriff's Office arrested two teens for allegedly killing a 16-year-old last year.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Watkins said the teen had saved money from working at McDonald's and bought the car from someone in the neighborhood, unaware it had been reported stolen.—
Ash-har Quraishi,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
RapidSOS provided Manchester Dispatch with high-accuracy GPS coordinates that put rescuers within feet of the victim in subzero conditions, enabling a grueling multi-agency carry-down operation that saved the hiker’s life.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
15 Apr. 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
-
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 17 Apr. 2026.
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