shoehorn

as in to cram
to fit (people or things) into a tight space the organizers of the county fair shoehorned the craft booths between the midway and the farm exhibits

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 shoehorn The Dutchman was constantly shoehorned into an attacking midfield role that doesn’t bring out his best characteristics, yet Motta insisted on deploying him there. Emmet Gates, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025 The editors put in a full recap of their contentious but evolving friendship, which started with Lindsay hating Paige for shoehorning onto her show and has grown into a kind of grudging respect. Brian Moylan, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2025 Instead, the creative team is shoehorning a third party into what had previously been singles rivalries. Blake Oestriecher, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025 The point is not to have anxiety over optics or to shoehorn in restaurants that are not yet ready. Timothy Depeugh, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shoehorn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shoehorn
Verb
  • Leavenworth-a-Lago: Now that those once-secret documents have been removed from bathrooms and closets, the private club should have a little extra space in which to cram undocumented migrants, who could also be pulled into service as caddies.
    Bob Morris, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 June 2025
  • When the novel begins, Alba, Stanley, and Drew, the remaining crew of the Audition, are trapped throughout the ship—one crammed into a hallway, another wedged between the floor and ceiling of a basketball court.
    Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • Paul Blackburn, with plenty of starting experience for Oakland, could squeeze into the picture too – especially if the Mets decide to try a six-man rotation that would save wear and tear on each man.
    Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
  • When pancake is ready to flip, squeeze the cinnamon mixture into a swirl shape on top of the pancake batter, pressing the tip of the bag slightly into the batter.
    Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • These flaky hand pies stuffed with sweet-tart cherries are the perfect two-bite desserts for topping off a full Fourth of July spread.
    Patricia S York, Southern Living, 27 June 2025
  • Demonstrating the extent of his influence and power, Combs is accused of suppressing damning hotel footage of him attacking Ventura by pulling out a brown paper bag stuffed with $100,000 in cash.
    Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 26 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Shoehorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shoehorn. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

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