as in close
giving or sharing as little as possible
neighborhood kids who were trick-or-treating knew better than to bother to knock on that pinching couple's door
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in saving
the quality or practice of being overly sparing with money
this constant pinching is getting ridiculous—we can afford to turn on one or two lights!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in stealing
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 arresting
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 conserving
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
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Recent Examples of pinching
Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
Made from SpanxSmooth material—a lightweight nylon-and-elastane blend—the bralette feels almost weightless and provides gentle smoothing without any digging or pinching.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 30 Nov. 2025
Walter’s first full season in charge was the end of the penny pinching that existed under prior owner Frank McCourt.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 27 Oct. 2025
The shoes have a wide toe box with plenty of room for feet to spread out, which helps prevent painful pinching and accommodates foot issues.
—Isabel Garcia, People.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
Starting from long side without border, roll dough into a tight log, pinching seam to seal.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 3 Feb. 2026
Klein, who came out of nowhere to rescue the Dodgers with four scoreless innings in the marathon Game 3 of the World Series, was still pinching himself about being recognized in public.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Wearers love how this cheeky hipster style stays put and still looks invisible under their clothes without pinching or riding up.
—Abby Morgan Lebet, InStyle, 22 Jan. 2026
Thanks to its finger guard technology, your fingers are also safe from pinching.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 22 Jan. 2026
The next morning, Helen sits at the kitchen table, pinching one of the seed pods that Thiago gave her between her thumb and forefinger and spinning it like a top.
—Sadia Shepard, New Yorker, 11 Jan. 2026
And as often happens with private equity acquisitions of retailers, the companies were larded with unsustainable debt, which made investing in the core business more difficult and led to penny-pinching measures that have been destructive to the businesses.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2026
After all, debt collection activity has picked up recently, thanks in large part to interest rates remaining elevated, inflation pinching household budgets and more Americans leaning on credit cards to bridge their budgetary gaps.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025
Noun
The bra’s signature M frame creates a sturdy structure that supports your chest sans underwire — thereby avoiding any digging, pinching, and poking throughout the day.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
Made from SpanxSmooth material—a lightweight nylon-and-elastane blend—the bralette feels almost weightless and provides gentle smoothing without any digging or pinching.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 30 Nov. 2025
Walter’s first full season in charge was the end of the penny pinching that existed under prior owner Frank McCourt.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 27 Oct. 2025
The shoes have a wide toe box with plenty of room for feet to spread out, which helps prevent painful pinching and accommodates foot issues.
—Isabel Garcia, People.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
The son of an emotionally remote father and penny-pinching mom, Smith was born the eldest of two boys in Tacoma.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
Starting from long side without border, roll dough into a tight log, pinching seam to seal.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 3 Feb. 2026
Klein, who came out of nowhere to rescue the Dodgers with four scoreless innings in the marathon Game 3 of the World Series, was still pinching himself about being recognized in public.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Wearers love how this cheeky hipster style stays put and still looks invisible under their clothes without pinching or riding up.
—Abby Morgan Lebet, InStyle, 22 Jan. 2026
Thanks to its finger guard technology, your fingers are also safe from pinching.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 22 Jan. 2026
The next morning, Helen sits at the kitchen table, pinching one of the seed pods that Thiago gave her between her thumb and forefinger and spinning it like a top.
—Sadia Shepard, New Yorker, 11 Jan. 2026
And as often happens with private equity acquisitions of retailers, the companies were larded with unsustainable debt, which made investing in the core business more difficult and led to penny-pinching measures that have been destructive to the businesses.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2026
After all, debt collection activity has picked up recently, thanks in large part to interest rates remaining elevated, inflation pinching household budgets and more Americans leaning on credit cards to bridge their budgetary gaps.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pinching
Adjective
-
Another category that would likely unnerve boards of directors, according to Minow, is close ties with Epstein following his controversial 2008 guilty plea to procuring a minor for prostitution.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
-
With Jackson’s death Tuesday, leaders across the region reflected on a legacy that helped shape a generation of local activism and public service — none more so than Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, a close friend for more than five decades.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Long work hours have limited their time together and delayed financial goals such as saving, traveling or planning for long-term stability.—
Brianna Mantaras,
Miami Herald,
17 Feb. 2026
-
If that's a bit rich for your blood, the Pro variant is pitched at $1,999 – a considerable saving on the $3,499 retail ticket price.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Detroit entered the post-All-Star meeting holding a 2-0 lead in the three-game season series, which meant the Pistons owned the tiebreaker regardless of the outcome at The Garden on Thursday.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Many people feel better holding a large cash cushion, especially after periods of volatility.—
Joanna Rotenberg,
Fortune,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Early childhood advocates were delighted when he was sworn into office seven years ago, his arms around his scene-stealing 2-year-old son.—
CalMatters,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
-
According to preliminary reports, the suspects threatened them with a firearm and held them for several minutes while stealing valuables.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
On July 17, 2014, Orta took video of then-NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaleo putting Garner in a fatal chokehold and pulling him to the ground while arresting him for selling loose cigarettes on Staten Island.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
That means questioning, investigating, and in some cases arresting people for civil immigration violations – authority traditionally reserved for federal officers.—
Jaclyn Diaz,
NPR,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Zack took the cue and led with Altadena’s sense of independence as a quality worth conserving.—
Steve Lopez,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
This time, the World team only got a token 5-minute appearance from the Lakers’ Luka Doncic, in this case legitimately conserving himself while coming back from a hamstring injury.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Stirring frequently, cook until garlic is a deep golden brown, being careful not to burn it, about 5 minutes.—
C.W. Cameron,
AJC.com,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Once the heavy portion is removed, finish with a clean cut where the branch meets the trunk, being careful not to injure the branch collar.—
Rae Ford,
Martha Stewart,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Inflation continues to pressure consumers The holiday economizing comes as Americans continue to battle inflation, which rose after the COVID-19 pandemic to levels not seen since the 1980s.—
Alexander Coolidge,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
11 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pinching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pinching. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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