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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of pinching
Bestreviews,
Chicago Tribune,
26 June 2026
The Maui flip-flops target key pressure points on the sole of the foot to help evenly distribute weight and reduce stress, while the wide toe post is designed to minimize pinching and blisters.
—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
13 June 2026
The penny pinching doesn’t exactly translate with the NBA, a players’ league and one where market size to elevate brand is difficult in Portland.
—
Maury Brown,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
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,
10 May 2026
The result is a weeknight-friendly meal with no need for folding and pinching.
—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Apr. 2026
The memory foam construction also provides plush cushioning to prevent pinching.
—
Bestreviews,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
In digital tests, wearers used natural pinching and grasping gestures to zoom and manipulate virtual objects on a computer screen with fluid precision.
—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Mar. 2026
The penny pinching has small business owners complaining about hard times.
—
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2026
ABC News,
29 June 2026
Each arm has two finger-like pinching grippers that resemble the hands of a Lego mini figure.
—
Marcia Dunn,
Fortune,
28 June 2026
In van Dongen’s case, the pinching motion required to hold a dart would trigger the spasms.
—
Kansas City Star,
24 June 2026
But the Department of Homeland Security—an organization not otherwise known for their penny-pinching nature— somehow managed to build the Transportation Security Administration’s Canine Training Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland for $12 million.
—
Craig Hooper,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
Adjusting text size, for example, requires two-finger pinching on the screen.
—
M. David Stone,
PC Magazine,
19 June 2026
That's pinching both mechanics and drivers.
—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
16 June 2026
Zinnias, dahlias, cosmos, rudbeckia, marigolds, and branching sunflowers will all benefit from pinching.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
11 June 2026
Both teams’ forwards pressure real hard and are very physical while their defensemen are very active pinching deep, which results in extended zone time and wearing the opposition down.
—
Pierre Lebrun,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
Noun
The headband is flexible for a perfect fit, and the adjustable earcups have plush cushioning to prevent pinching.
—
Bestreviews,
Chicago Tribune,
26 June 2026
The Maui flip-flops target key pressure points on the sole of the foot to help evenly distribute weight and reduce stress, while the wide toe post is designed to minimize pinching and blisters.
—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
13 June 2026
The penny pinching doesn’t exactly translate with the NBA, a players’ league and one where market size to elevate brand is difficult in Portland.
—
Maury Brown,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
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,
10 May 2026
The result is a weeknight-friendly meal with no need for folding and pinching.
—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Apr. 2026
The memory foam construction also provides plush cushioning to prevent pinching.
—
Bestreviews,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
In digital tests, wearers used natural pinching and grasping gestures to zoom and manipulate virtual objects on a computer screen with fluid precision.
—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Mar. 2026
The penny pinching has small business owners complaining about hard times.
—
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
Starting along short side of rectangle, lay 4 pieces of pepperoni side by side, half-inch apart, and roll into tight cylinder, pinching seam to seal.
—
ABC News,
29 June 2026
Each arm has two finger-like pinching grippers that resemble the hands of a Lego mini figure.
—
Marcia Dunn,
Fortune,
28 June 2026
In van Dongen’s case, the pinching motion required to hold a dart would trigger the spasms.
—
Kansas City Star,
24 June 2026
But the Department of Homeland Security—an organization not otherwise known for their penny-pinching nature— somehow managed to build the Transportation Security Administration’s Canine Training Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland for $12 million.
—
Craig Hooper,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
Adjusting text size, for example, requires two-finger pinching on the screen.
—
M. David Stone,
PC Magazine,
19 June 2026
That's pinching both mechanics and drivers.
—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
16 June 2026
Zinnias, dahlias, cosmos, rudbeckia, marigolds, and branching sunflowers will all benefit from pinching.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
11 June 2026
Both teams’ forwards pressure real hard and are very physical while their defensemen are very active pinching deep, which results in extended zone time and wearing the opposition down.
—
Pierre Lebrun,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pinching
Adjective
-
With the wrap in front of you, fold up the edge closest to you.
-
Because wells in the region are large and close to one another, restarting production will require significant coordination across companies and countries to ensure consistent pressure across multiple wells.
Noun
-
Studies on the psychology of saving have found attaching tangible milestones to financial planning, such as a goal to buy a home, tend to instill better savings habits in young people.
-
The remaining 30% is reserved for improving your financial future through saving, investing or paying down debt.
Verb
-
The surprise delivery of the banner came in response to the national team’s gratitude after holding several practices at KU’s Rock Chalk Park during its June 8-30 stay.
-
Burial postponed due to war Burials are meant to be conducted within a day of death in Islam, but because of the risks of holding a big funeral during the war it was postponed until after last month's interim truce deal was agreed.
Verb
-
In December 1922, two Black men were abducted from the Pilot Point jail after being accused of stealing horses.
-
Wolfson and her friends would try the stunts at home, stealing shopping carts to push each other into curbs.
Verb
-
Set the scene Set in a handsome Edwardian building off The Strand, One Aldywch is an arresting presence, not least because of the jutting angle of the front end of its facade (New York's Flatiron will spring to mind).
-
Police might no longer need to issue written warnings and give people a chance to gather their belongings and relocate before arresting them for public camping.
Verb
-
Officials advised people to try conserving as much power as possible when the service was on, use surge protectors for valuable electronics, prepare emergency kits in the event of a fire and keep their refrigerators or freezers closed.
-
Jackie and Shadow became internet sensations thanks to the live webcams maintained in their nest by nonprofit organization Friends of Big Bear Valley, which is an outspoken voice for conserving eagle habitat.
Adjective
-
Determination and careful calculations — hold on, carry the 2 — are a must.
-
Graduate students face lower federal limits and the loss of Grad PLUS, requiring careful financial planning.
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.
Cite this Entry
“Pinching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pinching. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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