as in squeezed
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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
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Recent Examples of pressed
Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Feb. 2026
New England’s Drake Maye, 23, is the second-youngest quarterback to start a Super Bowl (Dan Marino was the youngest) and will be hard-pressed to find much success against Seattle’s dominant defense.
—Keven Lerner, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
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
Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 16 Feb. 2026
Surging prices for food and fuel over the previous year had battered Japanese households already pressed by stagnant wages and low pensions.
—Jeff Kingston, Time, 15 Feb. 2026
You’d be pressed to find a more joyful dad.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 15 Feb. 2026
Both of them pressed hard, both falling during their runs.
—Sean Nevin, NBC news, 15 Feb. 2026
In one instance, Massie pressed Bondi on why some names, including Wexner's, were redacted.
—Saige Miller, NPR, 14 Feb. 2026
Tablets are pressed into shape, rather than being contained.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
During the hearing, senators pressed Carl on past controversial comments about Israel, Jews and the Holocaust.
—Lauren Peller, ABC News, 13 Feb. 2026
After all, some Republicans have pressed her and her department on this issue.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
The full ad, which dropped on Thursday, features a virtually unrecognizable Fieri clad in sensible slacks and a pressed button-up, without his iconic frosted tips or goatee.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Feb. 2026
New England’s Drake Maye, 23, is the second-youngest quarterback to start a Super Bowl (Dan Marino was the youngest) and will be hard-pressed to find much success against Seattle’s dominant defense.
—Keven Lerner, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
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
Verb
The next day at the summit, while everyone else sported their Team USA gear properly tucked and pressed, Liu showed up in something straight out of Jennifer Beal’s wardrobe in Flashdance.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 16 Feb. 2026
Surging prices for food and fuel over the previous year had battered Japanese households already pressed by stagnant wages and low pensions.
—Jeff Kingston, Time, 15 Feb. 2026
You’d be pressed to find a more joyful dad.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 15 Feb. 2026
Both of them pressed hard, both falling during their runs.
—Sean Nevin, NBC news, 15 Feb. 2026
In one instance, Massie pressed Bondi on why some names, including Wexner's, were redacted.
—Saige Miller, NPR, 14 Feb. 2026
Tablets are pressed into shape, rather than being contained.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
During the hearing, senators pressed Carl on past controversial comments about Israel, Jews and the Holocaust.
—Lauren Peller, ABC News, 13 Feb. 2026
After all, some Republicans have pressed her and her department on this issue.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pressed
Adjective
-
In this formula, mystery abounds — propelled by notes of crushed violet, fern, hawthorn essence, and ambrette.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Top with crushed peppermints, candy canes, star mints, sprinkles, or any other holiday garnish that suits your fancy.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
8 Feb. 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 20 Feb. 2026.
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