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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
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
Verb
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pinches
Noun
-
Investigators believe the same person is responsible for at least the thefts in Rancho San Diego and Imperial Beach, and possibly all five thefts.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Over a larger span, from March 2022 and March 2025, thefts decreased by 63%, according to the governor’s office, as agencies attempted to address the state’s status as having among the highest rates of auto theft in the nation.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
In the filing, the group alleges that Wisconsin law doesn't allow officers to make civil arrests except in certain circumstances that do not apply to civil immigration enforcement.—
Laura Schulte,
jsonline.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Prosecutors said additional arrests were anticipated, and one suspect, Cole Williams, remained at large and believed to be in Tehachapi.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
So Vegas has to hope that their forward depth is strong enough to balance out where their star power lacks, relative to other contenders.—
The Athletic NHL,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
-
This absence — of God, of love, of plain community spirit — is a metaphor for the whole parish, where everyone is defined by their own lacks and deficiencies, the weaknesses that cause Wicks to despise them and vow to bring down them all.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
One cheerfully holds a toothbrush, her hair wrapped in a matching second towel (for me, a universal symbol of maturity and womanhood.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Outside of the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East and the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North, who both stand alone as the only squads in their division with winning records, every other divisional leader holds only a slim edge over rivals in hot pursuit.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Oscar Isaac plays the pompous Victor Frankenstein, though Jacob Elordi steals the movie as the tragic and eloquent Creature.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The Traverse Wine Coast has something special in every season, but autumn steals the show when the hills light up with color and harvest season brings the grapes in from the vines.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Dolores notices they are gone and begins to lash out, and Abby seizes an opportunity to knock Dolores out.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Continue reading … CRYPTO CRACKDOWN – DOJ seizes record $15 billion in Bitcoin in largest US forfeiture ever.—
,
FOXNews.com,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
And after the bailout saves them, the couple doubles down, still chasing the fantasy of Versailles even as the guillotine sharpens.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
10 Nov. 2025
-
While modern battlefield medicine saves more lives than ever, doctors continue to struggle with the damage that follows once bleeding is controlled.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
In Eastpointe, where two city council seats were up for grabs, one of two councilmembers lost a reelection bid to a newcomer for the four-year seat, according to unofficial results.—
Christina Hall,
Freep.com,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Some 70 timepieces are up for grabs, with many not seen in several decades.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pinches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pinches. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share