as in squeezed
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
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 emphasized
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
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 pressed
Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
In several enclosures, feces had accumulated so high that cats were forced to remain pressed against the tops of the cages, with little to no room to move.
—Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 21 Jan. 2026
Given all the cancellations listed above, Prime Video may be hard pressed to make a mark with anything new in 2026.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 28 Dec. 2025
The Haussers were more pressed for time.
—Literary Hub, 16 Dec. 2025
Now, City Council meeting attendees would be hard-pressed to find a meeting without some bickering on the dais.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Dec. 2025
But even the president’s strongest supporters would be hard-pressed to oppose them on the merits.
—Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 27 Nov. 2025
The uninitiated would be hard pressed to resist the energy or joy of Mercury’s performance.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 21 Nov. 2025
But people are hard-pressed to find any time, let alone 30 years, to scratch these interpersonal surfaces, Brackett explains.
—Matt Fuchs, Time, 4 Nov. 2025
New Atlas, 24 Jan. 2026
During the attack, Yates repeatedly pressed the cell’s emergency call button, the lawsuit alleges, and begged deputies over the intercom to intervene, but no one came.
—Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026
Carlson pressed, perhaps hoping to kindle a spark of recognition.
—Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026
Doug Williams, Jeff Hostetler, Tom Brady and Nick Foles are among the backup quarterbacks who led their teams to Super Bowl championships after being pressed into starting duty.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2026
Chicago Public Library, Park District, and City College facilities, senior centers, community service centers, and police district stations are also pressed into service as warming centers.
—Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 23 Jan. 2026
He has been pressed into starting duty by first-year Sac State coach Mike Bibby out of injury necessity and a need to feed off of his fire.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Committee members pressed Ford and Lanphier on how the project revision decision was made and questioned whether the new plan would actually improve safety in the corridor.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 22 Jan. 2026
The chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee pressed the Syrian government to hold perpetrators accountable amid accusations of grave human rights violations within Syria’s army during the seizure of two Kurdish neighborhoods in Aleppo.
—Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
They’re favored by 3 1/2 points over the New England Patriots, who will be hard-pressed to overcome Seattle’s powerful lines, explosiveness and complete roster.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
In several enclosures, feces had accumulated so high that cats were forced to remain pressed against the tops of the cages, with little to no room to move.
—Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 21 Jan. 2026
Given all the cancellations listed above, Prime Video may be hard pressed to make a mark with anything new in 2026.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 28 Dec. 2025
The Haussers were more pressed for time.
—Literary Hub, 16 Dec. 2025
Now, City Council meeting attendees would be hard-pressed to find a meeting without some bickering on the dais.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Dec. 2025
But even the president’s strongest supporters would be hard-pressed to oppose them on the merits.
—Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 27 Nov. 2025
The uninitiated would be hard pressed to resist the energy or joy of Mercury’s performance.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 21 Nov. 2025
But people are hard-pressed to find any time, let alone 30 years, to scratch these interpersonal surfaces, Brackett explains.
—Matt Fuchs, Time, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
The gain knob feels a little loose and imprecise, making fine adjustments a little fiddly, and the physical mute button produces an audible click if pressed while recording.
—New Atlas, 24 Jan. 2026
During the attack, Yates repeatedly pressed the cell’s emergency call button, the lawsuit alleges, and begged deputies over the intercom to intervene, but no one came.
—Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026
Carlson pressed, perhaps hoping to kindle a spark of recognition.
—Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026
Doug Williams, Jeff Hostetler, Tom Brady and Nick Foles are among the backup quarterbacks who led their teams to Super Bowl championships after being pressed into starting duty.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2026
Chicago Public Library, Park District, and City College facilities, senior centers, community service centers, and police district stations are also pressed into service as warming centers.
—Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 23 Jan. 2026
He has been pressed into starting duty by first-year Sac State coach Mike Bibby out of injury necessity and a need to feed off of his fire.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Committee members pressed Ford and Lanphier on how the project revision decision was made and questioned whether the new plan would actually improve safety in the corridor.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 22 Jan. 2026
The chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee pressed the Syrian government to hold perpetrators accountable amid accusations of grave human rights violations within Syria’s army during the seizure of two Kurdish neighborhoods in Aleppo.
—Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pressed
Adjective
-
Prepare an Easy Pasta Sauce Combine a large can of crushed tomatoes, a large can of tomato paste, and a few tablespoons of this seasoning blend.—
Libby Monteith Minor,
Southern Living,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Add some crunch with crushed tortilla chips.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
China’s military has unveiled a combat drone converted from a Soviet–era fighter jet, a development that could enable massed drone attacks in any future conflict over Taiwan.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pressed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pressed. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
