as in cramming
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
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Recent Examples of shoehorning
No longer shoehorning into skates never made for her, the next version of someone else’s ideal.
—
Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shoehorning
Verb
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But the line is shifting towards the Mediterranean Sea, cramming Gaza’s population into a shrinking strip of land.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
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Instead of cramming an itinerary, dark sky travelers often build trips around a single celestial event or a multi-night stay somewhere remote enough to actually see the stars.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
12 May 2026
Verb
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While progressive Democrats are pushing to tax billionaires and close corporate loopholes, Republicans are warning that squeezing job creators will severely damage Illinois’ economy.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
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Higher fuel costs are leading to inflation and squeezing household budgets, while industries from manufacturing to transport are facing rising operating costs and supply disruptions.—
Julhas Alam,
Fortune,
11 May 2026
Verb
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The Bruins followed it up by loading the bases with no outs in the fifth for right fielder Megan Grant.—
Jordan Puente,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
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Then the human welder has to finish the areas where the robot can’t reach, then pull it out and start loading new parts.—
Kristin Shaw,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Verb
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The Cook County medical examiner’s office found that the fatal shot pierced Rivera’s skin near her left armpit and traveled through both her lungs, wedging itself in her ribs, autopsy records show.—
Sam Charles,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
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Water flossers can help remove impacted food from around bridges and wires, places where wedging floss might be uncomfortable or difficult.—
Anne Ewbank,
Popular Science,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shoehorning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shoehorning. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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