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
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Recent Examples of pinching
Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 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
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
Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 6 May 2026
Young plants benefit from pinching back early in the growing season to encourage branching.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 4 May 2026
Those extra costs are pinching metro Atlanta residents who already feel squeezed, with few alternatives in a car‑dominant region.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 29 Apr. 2026
First, a mathematical operation known as the Schur pinching channel reorganizes the system into a simpler, diagonal form—something closer to classical data that is easier to handle.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 19 Apr. 2026
The spandex-blend material is ultra-stretchy, and there’s no unpleasant digging or pinching courtesy of the zipper- and button-free design.
—Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 18 Apr. 2026
Instead of pinching pennies, the doctor recommends paying whatever amount is necessary to ensure quality treatment.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2026
There were a whopping 10 major leaguers in total dealt at the trade deadline as the Pohlad family took penny pinching to a new level.
—Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 13 Apr. 2026
Renewables were 20% of supply before Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, pinching Europe’s gas supplies.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2026
Noun
Don’t settle for painful pinching and friction on your next outing.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 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
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
Pain in the hand, wrist and thumb that worsens or prevents you from gripping, pinching or holding items.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 6 May 2026
Young plants benefit from pinching back early in the growing season to encourage branching.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 4 May 2026
Those extra costs are pinching metro Atlanta residents who already feel squeezed, with few alternatives in a car‑dominant region.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 29 Apr. 2026
First, a mathematical operation known as the Schur pinching channel reorganizes the system into a simpler, diagonal form—something closer to classical data that is easier to handle.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 19 Apr. 2026
The spandex-blend material is ultra-stretchy, and there’s no unpleasant digging or pinching courtesy of the zipper- and button-free design.
—Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 18 Apr. 2026
Instead of pinching pennies, the doctor recommends paying whatever amount is necessary to ensure quality treatment.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2026
There were a whopping 10 major leaguers in total dealt at the trade deadline as the Pohlad family took penny pinching to a new level.
—Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 13 Apr. 2026
Renewables were 20% of supply before Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, pinching Europe’s gas supplies.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pinching
Adjective
-
Sources close to Canvot, speaking anonymously to protect relationships, have told The Athletic that the message from Glasner after that error was simple.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
-
López was one of the fiercest critics of then-Mayor Fúnez, a supporter of the mine and close ally of Honduras’ former president, Xiomara Castro.—
Marlon González,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
The classic Feldstein-Horioka puzzle asked why domestic saving and investment remained closely linked despite open capital markets.—
James Broughel,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
-
But because the Trump plan is based on voluntary participation – Congressional authority is likely needed for anyone to be automatically enrolled – the number of workers likely to see their retirement savings go up as a result could be much lower than Morningstar’s estimate.—
Jeanne Sahadi,
CNN Money,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Cross your legs while standing up and holding your arms out to the side, lower yourself to sit criss-cross on the floor by bending your knees, and stand back up—without using your hands, knees, or any furniture, or losing your balance.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
15 May 2026
-
During Friday's Morning Meeting , Jim disagreed with investors piling into enterprise software stocks with no meaningful catalysts right now, including companies like Workday , ServiceNow , and Club holding Salesforce , following Ackman's disclosure.—
Natasha Abellard,
CNBC,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Avedian said that the issue is not just about people stealing identities or social security numbers; the danger to the consumer is much greater.—
Amy Corral,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
-
At the moment, however, AI is merely stealing from us all.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
After arresting the man, the complaint says police found a black iPhone tucked between the driver's seat and the center console in his car.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
-
The movie fumbles the chance to do something arresting with this seminal period in art.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
People are encouraged to prevent ozone pollution by sharing a ride, walking or riding a bicycle, taking lunch to work, avoiding drive-thru lanes, conserving energy, and keeping vehicles properly tuned.—
Natassia Paloma,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
-
Both groups’ standards include conserving water, wildlife and biodiversity as well as compliance with applicable forestry laws to keep ecosystems healthy.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
Adjective
-
The move, Lindon said, is careful.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
9 May 2026
-
However, the Vaile Victorian Society, the volunteer group that maintains the house and runs tours, worries that once the house ceases to become a public property, the careful preservation work, which the aged property relies on, will be impossible to maintain.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 May 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 16 May. 2026.
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