shoehorning

present participle of shoehorn
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

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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shoehorning
Verb
  • The same push toward cramming AI into every corner is also happening on Windows 11, where Microsoft Copilot promises to be helpful.
    — Adam Clark Estes, Vox, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The common thread among them is many, many hours spent cramming parenting and their careers into each day.
    — Tilly Berendt, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Democrats have hammered on meat as well, but mainly just as one of the staples that cost more under Trump, squeezing voters’ pocketbooks.
    — Nicholas Riccardi, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Democrats have hammered on meat as well, but mainly just as one of the staples that cost more under Trump, squeezing voters' pocketbooks.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Storyteller experiments with some next-generation convertible furniture designs to make the new van even more versatile and better equipped for loading up gear.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Russian diesel exports loading from the Baltic port of Primorsk resumed on Tuesday, with a tanker carrying around 40,000 metric tons of ultra-low sulphur diesel heading towards Morocco, according to LSEG data reported by Reuters on Wednesday.
    — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Nathan created an atmosphere of tension that backfired spectacularly by wedging a distance between himself and his deckhands and strengthening the bond between Joe and Cooper.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Which West team has the best chance of wedging its way into the OKC-San Antonio tier?
    — The Athletic NBA Staff, New York Times, 29 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Shoehorning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shoehorning. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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