shoehorns

present tense third-person singular of shoehorn
as in crams
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 shoehorns For a company that once famously swore off commercials, Netflix sure shoehorns in as much self-advertising as possible. — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 25 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shoehorns
Verb
  • The MatePad Air crams six speakers into its thin body and, thanks to its big battery, can play videos for up to 16 hours.
    — Ben Sin, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • Director Allan Deberton crams much story and characterization in those opening frames.
    — Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 24 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • That means if a trade war squeezes household spending, disrupts supply chains or generates ill will among local constituencies, there’s a chance the NHL (and at least 10 clubs) feels the pinch.
    — Rick Burton, Sportico.com, 18 Sep. 2026
  • People’s financial margin for error is generally pretty small, and just the rising cost of most everything just squeezes them more and more.
    — Paul Wiseman, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Wilson is again a dominant force on both ends of the floor, stuffs the box score with points, rebounds and blocks, and has improved every season while keeping the Aces as a perennial contender.
    — Annie Costabile, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Throughout, visiting tourist Madeleine (Kristen Stewart) stuffs her face with every kind of meat, vegetable and carb while her father Phil (Woody Harrelson) is the one whose stomach miraculously swells.
    — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2026
Verb
  • The main sleeper pod packs down small to store easily at home, then loads neatly into small and midsize vans only to burst out the tailgate at camp and create an instant bedroom.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Either use a fragile design that loads atoms well but breaks under high heat conditions or a sturdy design that handles heat well but not the atoms.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Shoehorns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shoehorns. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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