1
2
as in arrests
the act of taking into one's control by authority of law
an innocent person caught up in a city-wide pinch of drug dealers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in lacks
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
this labor pinch means that there'll be long lines at the checkouts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in steals
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 seizes
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
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4
as in saves
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pinches
Literary Hub, 24 Nov. 2025
There’s the moment Stanton’s Håkon Werle pinches the back of his son’s neck, like a cruel master bringing his dog to heel.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Sep. 2025
For Spraggins’ colleague, Josie Wheeler — who still sometimes pinches herself at going from bartending to meetings with nuclear power plant operators — Accenture is a lifetime commitment.
—Andy Tonsing, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
This pinches the space between them so only the high-k dielectric completely surrounds them.
—IEEE Spectrum, 14 Dec. 2017
Verb
Dad pinches my cheek between his first two fingers with a soppy look in his eyes.
—Literary Hub, 24 Nov. 2025
There’s the moment Stanton’s Håkon Werle pinches the back of his son’s neck, like a cruel master bringing his dog to heel.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Sep. 2025
For Spraggins’ colleague, Josie Wheeler — who still sometimes pinches herself at going from bartending to meetings with nuclear power plant operators — Accenture is a lifetime commitment.
—Andy Tonsing, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
This pinches the space between them so only the high-k dielectric completely surrounds them.
—IEEE Spectrum, 14 Dec. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pinches
Noun
-
Brown noted that the thefts appear to be repetitive.—
Morgan Rynor,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The annual convention of movie theater owners got a sneak peek at Jordan’s project — the third big-screen take on the story of a billionaire whose idle hands lead him to orchestrate major art thefts.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Law enforcement also hasn't disclosed whether any arrests have been made.—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Since the law took effect, the city says enforcement has led to 179 citations and 15 arrests.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Cinch doesn't have many add-on options available, which means customization lacks.—
Caroline Ernst,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2026
-
As of Wednesday, firearms dealers are required under state law to use scanners that pull the prospective purchaser’s name, date of birth and other details from the card’s magnetic strip, which the new design lacks — except if they are authorized otherwise.—
Madison Smalstig,
Sacbee.com,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Another girl, Donna Jo, apparently naked on a back-yard lawn, holds several small, round pieces of fruit, still on their leafy branch, clasped to her chest like a trophy.—
Vince Aletti,
New Yorker,
18 Apr. 2026
-
The Indian government’s chief economic adviser expressed confidence Friday that the world’s sixth-largest economy can weather the energy-price shock caused by the Iran war if the ceasefire holds.—
Chris Wellisz,
semafor.com,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
At a Goop-like wellness empire built on female empowerment, Alice meets her doppelganger — a shinier, breezier British import who promptly steals her promotion.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
21 Apr. 2026
-
But his deeper worries so far haven’t come to pass — no one steals the books that stretch on shelves up to the ceiling, representing 17 years of work.—
Adriane Quinlan,
Curbed,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Rather than intercepting income at the source, a bank levy freezes and seizes funds that are already sitting in your checking or savings account.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Like any well-meaning grifter, Anna (Halle Bailey) seizes the opportunity to hop a flight to picturesque Tuscany after meeting a handsome Italian stranger with an empty villa.—
Rebecca Aizin,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Leaving clippings in place also saves you time and energy by not bagging.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
-
This saves you the trouble of relying on potentially unreliable mobile networks to reach your destination.—
Jordan Minor,
PC Magazine,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
At the same time, the four Democrats were looking for their breakout moment with the race’s frontrunner status still up for grabs.—
Grace Hase,
Mercury News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Interestingly, Governors Weld, Romney and Baker were elected when the incumbent governor, with all the power of the office, did not see re-election and the office was up for grabs.—
Peter Lucas,
Boston Herald,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pinches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pinches. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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