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
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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
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According to Center Line police, at least four air conditioning units from a neighborhood were stolen late last week, and investigators say similar thefts have occurred in Warren as well.
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Police in Largo spent weeks investigating the thefts from Arnold’s Airbnb stay.
Noun
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Eighty‑four percent of those who died were not wearing a life jacket, and Texas Game Wardens made 223 Boating While Intoxicated arrests last year.
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The gunman took off and no arrests were made.
Noun
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The artist thought that paintings and drawings have a certain depth that photography on its own lacks.
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What Hafley’s team lacks are proven, established names; productivity that can be relied on if healthy.
Verb
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The self-image of a predominantly Anglo civilization on the far side of the world—a distant, lucky country insulated from global conflict—no longer holds.
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Each carafe holds 35 ounces and features a narrow neck for easier pouring.
Verb
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Tired of living in Cinderella’s shadow, Lilith steals the Fairy Godmother’s (Bette Midler) magic wand and hijacks the Royal Ball with her sister, Margot (Stephanie Hsu).
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Zidane steals the show France had been considered also-rans in the tournament, always falling short despite spectacular individual performances from players such as Just Fontaine and Michel Platini in previous editions.
Verb
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Trump seizes America’s 250th-birthday spotlight, headlining the Great American State Fair, hosting a UFC bout at the White House and promoting new passports, $250 bills and coins bearing his image.
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Ellie brings up the salad and seizes the opportunity to take credit for her part in making lunch.
Verb
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That saves you the guessing game.
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Healthcare economists say giving people access to preventive healthcare saves taxpayers money in the long run by keeping the workforce healthy and relieving pressure on an overburdened system.
Noun
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So that leaves just one spot that’s really up for grabs—meaning that inevitably, at least one show that was nominated for its previous season is going to be snubbed this time around.
-
Multiple seats in the two counties are up for grabs, and could go either Democratic or Republican.
Cite this Entry
“Pinches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pinches. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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