as in seized
to take or make use of under a guise of authority but without actual right
the fleeing bank robber pressed a nearby taxi into service as a getaway car
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in shoved
to push steadily against with some force
an old doorbell that requires you to press the button hard
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
3
as in huddled
to gather into a closely packed group
everyone pressed around me to see the pictures
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
5
as in compelled
to cause (a person) to give in to pressure
a manager pressed by a business crisis to return from his vacation ahead of schedule
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in urged
to try to persuade (someone) through earnest appeals to follow a course of action
pressed us to go with them to the school board meeting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in highlighted
to indicate the importance of by centering attention on
an office e-mail that presses the need for greater vigilance concerning building security
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in squeezed
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Recent Examples of pressed
Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 10 Sep. 2025
Partner would be hard-pressed to find a bid at the five-level, so double covers many hands.
—Deb Harvell, Arkansas Online, 31 Aug. 2025
If this becomes an annual event, the Chiefs and Battle Sports would be hard-pressed to find a better school to kick it off than Nebraska.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2025
The slate of features caters to a broad spectrum of luxury travelers who will be hard-pressed to find a bigger and better beach at any price point in The Hamptons.
—Paula Conway, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
On rainy days when people would stay in the building for lunch, one was hard-pressed to find a free seat in the cafeteria.
—Sacbee.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Consider adding this pressed powder for mature skin and the fast-selling EltaMD sunscreen our team loves to your cart.
—Nicol Natale, People.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Registration is $30 and includes a cold, pressed juice from Vive Natural in downtown Elgin.
—Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
Kevin Shalvey, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2025
This can result when your heel is high off the ground and your big toe is pressed flat into the ground or turf, hence the name of the injury.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Carlson pressed him on what moral framework governs those decisions.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
As the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) pressed ahead with its assault on Gaza City, the Israeli Air Force prepared for what would be the first-ever Israeli strike on a Gulf Arab nation.
—Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Stockpiles have been funneled to Ukraine for years, and existing factories are hard pressed to more quickly churn out new equipment like interceptor missiles.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Despite Denver’s restaurant scene starting off the year with concerns about its well-being, aspiring chefs and restaurant owners have pressed onward.
—Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 10 Sep. 2025
Continue reading … LAW OF THE LAND – Amy Coney Barrett defends Supreme Court's Dobbs decision when pressed.
—FOXNews.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Frustrated with his decision, the coaches pressed him the next day.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
The oil is cold-pressed, so no heat or chemicals strip away its natural nutrients, which in turn deeply condition and soften strands.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 10 Sep. 2025
Partner would be hard-pressed to find a bid at the five-level, so double covers many hands.
—Deb Harvell, Arkansas Online, 31 Aug. 2025
If this becomes an annual event, the Chiefs and Battle Sports would be hard-pressed to find a better school to kick it off than Nebraska.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2025
The slate of features caters to a broad spectrum of luxury travelers who will be hard-pressed to find a bigger and better beach at any price point in The Hamptons.
—Paula Conway, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
On rainy days when people would stay in the building for lunch, one was hard-pressed to find a free seat in the cafeteria.
—Sacbee.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Consider adding this pressed powder for mature skin and the fast-selling EltaMD sunscreen our team loves to your cart.
—Nicol Natale, People.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Registration is $30 and includes a cold, pressed juice from Vive Natural in downtown Elgin.
—Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Video footage from the area showed multiple large explosions in Gaza City on Tuesday as the IDF pressed its offensive.
—Kevin Shalvey, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2025
This can result when your heel is high off the ground and your big toe is pressed flat into the ground or turf, hence the name of the injury.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Carlson pressed him on what moral framework governs those decisions.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
As the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) pressed ahead with its assault on Gaza City, the Israeli Air Force prepared for what would be the first-ever Israeli strike on a Gulf Arab nation.
—Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Stockpiles have been funneled to Ukraine for years, and existing factories are hard pressed to more quickly churn out new equipment like interceptor missiles.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Despite Denver’s restaurant scene starting off the year with concerns about its well-being, aspiring chefs and restaurant owners have pressed onward.
—Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 10 Sep. 2025
Continue reading … LAW OF THE LAND – Amy Coney Barrett defends Supreme Court's Dobbs decision when pressed.
—FOXNews.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Frustrated with his decision, the coaches pressed him the next day.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pressed
crushed
Adjective
-
Pour ice and all into a big mug or glass, top with crushed ice, and garnish with a mint sprig and/or lime wedge or wheel.—
Jason O'Bryan,
Robb Report,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Although the crushed velvet exteriors are the most eye-catching details of the shoes, there’s more to them than what meets the eye.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pressed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pressed. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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