Thesaurus results for SHOEHORNING

shoehorning

verb

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

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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 situation is also symptomatic of broader strains on the country's higher education system, where grossly limited spots leave millions cramming for months, or even years, and high-stakes entrance exams leave many of them burnt out and in debt.

— Sakshi Dayal, USA Today, 22 July 2026
An early 2022 op-ed in the University of Calgary’s student newspaper described the idea as the antithesis of hustle culture, one that finds satisfaction in mundane tasks rather than cramming productivity into every waking moment.

— Allison Palmer July 7, Charlotte Observer, 7 July 2026

Definition of cramming

Verb

Washington threatened to take the lead after loading the bases with one out in the eighth, but Louis Varland entered and worked out of the jam with a groundout, strikeout and flyout.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 July 2026
Kurt’s key takeaways What grabs me here is how much walking support the researchers created without loading someone down with bulky motors.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026

Definition of loading

Verb

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
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

Definition of wedging

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shoehorned

shoehorning

shoehorns

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“Shoehorning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shoehorning. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of shoehorning

verb

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