as in crammed
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
Relevance
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 shoehorned
Of course, that’s exactly what Governor Maura Healey and Mayor Michelle Wu and the developer want; A knockdown, drag out, talk radio donnybrook over a shelter being shoehorned into a tiny former nursing home nestled among a family neighborhood in the Holy Name parish.
—
Lou Murray, Boston Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
With a roster that includes Margot Robbie, Miles Teller and Brooke Shields, Ullman says tariff anxiety shoehorned into an already volatile market and tense political climate has pushed clients to be far more conservative.
—Trey Williams, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2025
They were adapted from existing internal combustion engine platforms, with the electric powertrains shoehorned inside.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
The questions suggest that the commissioners want to see something better than what is offered at Portside Pier, where a second floor walkway was shoehorned into the project after its design, creating a sometimes-awkward experience for restaurant patrons and the public.
—Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025
The matches are shoehorned into the tournaments, often on outer courts and at odd times.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2025
In a movie full of overwrought conversations and shoehorned interactions, perhaps that’s the lesson.
—Elle Carroll, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2025
Lou Murray, Boston Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
With a roster that includes Margot Robbie, Miles Teller and Brooke Shields, Ullman says tariff anxiety shoehorned into an already volatile market and tense political climate has pushed clients to be far more conservative.
—Trey Williams, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2025
They were adapted from existing internal combustion engine platforms, with the electric powertrains shoehorned inside.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
The questions suggest that the commissioners want to see something better than what is offered at Portside Pier, where a second floor walkway was shoehorned into the project after its design, creating a sometimes-awkward experience for restaurant patrons and the public.
—Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025
The matches are shoehorned into the tournaments, often on outer courts and at odd times.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2025
In a movie full of overwrought conversations and shoehorned interactions, perhaps that’s the lesson.
—Elle Carroll, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shoehorned
Verb
-
The men were crammed into police wagons waiting to deliver them to cells at Central Police Station.—
Equal Justice Initiative,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The area, crammed with fast-food chains and strip malls, might initially not look like much.—
Katie Chang,
AFAR Media,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The official trailer is nearly three minutes long and is stuffed with bombastic special effects, intense emotion (a lot of tears), plenty of action and one mean Vecna.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Available in 10 colors, the bean bag covers can be stuffed with refills to keep your chair fresh.—
Erika Owen,
Architectural Digest,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But there's also concern that these programs, some funded by private donations and not used to such demand, will be financially squeezed.—
Lily Altavena,
Freep.com,
30 Oct. 2025
-
George Matysik, executive director of Share Food Program, a Philadelphia food bank, told USA TODAY that food banks are already squeezed by federal funding cuts.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shoehorned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shoehorned. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share