PINCHES Synonyms: 198 Similar and Opposite Words

pinches 1 of 2

noun

plural of pinch

as in thefts

an instance of theft the pinch of my favorite sweater really bugged me!

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Relevance

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

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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

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pinches

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of pinch

as in holds

to squeeze tightly between two surfaces, edges, or points the zipper on those jeans always pinches me

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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

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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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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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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 pinches

Verb

There will be a moment in the frenzy at the Estadio Azteca, probably as the teams take to the field or the first ball is kicked in anger, when Darren Thompson pinches himself to be witnessing all this first-hand. — Rob Tanner, New York Times, 5 July 2026 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

Investigators tied the enterprise to more than 150 baby formula thefts throughout Florida, ultimately causing Publix, Target, Walmart, Walgreens, CVS and Winn-Dixie to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars.

— Saleen Martin, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026
Prosecutors allege that other members of the enterprise continued committing cryptocurrency thefts and laundering money after Lam’s arrest.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of thefts

Noun

Now, experts fear a persistent failure is colliding with a rapid expansion of immigration enforcement — one pushed to deliver record numbers of arrests, increasingly aided by state and local police and operating with fewer internal checks.

— María Luisa Paúl, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026
The Straw Hat Riots lasted eight days and resulted in arrests, injuries, hospitalizations, and the demise of many, many hats.

— Michele Metych Britannica Editors Sep. 4, Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of arrests

Noun

Tasked with shepherding his major stars through bombastic performances, Fern’s directing lacks focus.

— Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 2026
While Verse and Alex Wright will man the edges and Denzel Ward remains an elite anchor in the secondary, the front seven lacks proven game-disrupting star power, leaving the defense reliant on scheme and discipline to hold up.

— David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of lacks

Verb

If someone finds or steals it, does the information remain encrypted and inaccessible?

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026
Jealousy and entitlement steer the actions of middling white writer June Hayward, who brazenly steals the manuscript of her much more talented friend, Chinese-American author, Athena Liu, after being the sole witness to Athena’s death.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of steals

Verb

The biggest laundry savings happen between washes Skipping just one unnecessary 20-gallon load per week saves about 1,040 gallons of water per year.

— Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Sep. 2026
One fewer load per week saves hundreds of gallons a year while reducing the energy, detergent and microfiber pollution that come with every cycle.

— Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of saves

Noun

After receiving a $7 million price cut, the six-bedroom, seven-bathroom abode is up for grabs yet again.

— Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026
Caruso, a former Republican who registered as a Democrat in 2022, could help Bass attract more conservative voters who may have voted for Spencer Pratt or tech entrepreneur Adam Miller in the primary but are now up for grabs.

— Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026