PINCH Synonyms: 232 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'pinch' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of pinch are contingency , crisis , emergency , exigency , juncture , straits , and strait . While all these words mean "a critical or crucial time or state of affairs," pinch implies urgency or pressure for action to a less intense degree than exigency or emergency . // come through in a pinch

Q: When can 'contingency' be used instead of 'pinch'?

In some situations, the words contingency and pinch are roughly equivalent. However, contingency implies an emergency or exigency that is regarded as possible but uncertain of occurrence. // contingency plans

Q: Where would 'crisis' be a reasonable alternative to 'pinch'?

The meanings of crisis and pinch largely overlap; however, crisis applies to a juncture whose outcome will make a decisive difference. // a crisis of confidence

Q: When is 'emergency' a more appropriate choice than 'pinch'?

While the synonyms emergency and pinch are close in meaning, emergency applies to a sudden unforeseen situation requiring prompt action to avoid disaster. // the presence of mind needed to deal with emergencies

Q: When would 'exigency' be a good substitute for 'pinch'?

The words exigency and pinch can be used in similar contexts, but exigency stresses the pressure of restrictions or urgency of demands created by a special situation. // provide for exigencies

Q: When is it sensible to use 'juncture' instead of 'pinch'?

The words juncture and pinch are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, juncture stresses the significant concurrence or convergence of events. // an important juncture in our country's history

Q: How are the words 'strait' and 'straits' related as synonyms of 'pinch'?

Strait , now commonly straits , applies to a troublesome situation from which escape is extremely difficult. // in dire straits

pinch 1 of 3

noun

Definition of pinch

as in theft

an instance of theft the pinch of my favorite sweater really bugged me!

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in arrest

the act of taking into one's control by authority of law an innocent person caught up in a city-wide pinch of drug dealers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in shortage

a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number this labor pinch means that there'll be long lines at the checkouts

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

pinch

2 of 3

verb

ˈpinch

as in to hold

to squeeze tightly between two surfaces, edges, or points the zipper on those jeans always pinches me

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to steal

to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep pinched the earrings while the boutique owner was distracted by another customer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to arrest

to take or keep under one's control by authority of law pinched the purse snatcher just two blocks from where he had robbed the old lady

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to save

to avoid unnecessary waste or expense if we pinch hard for the upcoming year, we can probably afford the vacation at that fancy resort

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

pinch

3 of 3

adjective

as in extra

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun pinch differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of pinch are contingency, crisis, emergency, exigency, juncture, straits, and strait. While all these words mean "a critical or crucial time or state of affairs," pinch implies urgency or pressure for action to a less intense degree than exigency or emergency.

come through in a pinch

When can contingency be used instead of pinch?

In some situations, the words contingency and pinch are roughly equivalent. However, contingency implies an emergency or exigency that is regarded as possible but uncertain of occurrence.

contingency plans

Where would crisis be a reasonable alternative to pinch?

The meanings of crisis and pinch largely overlap; however, crisis applies to a juncture whose outcome will make a decisive difference.

a crisis of confidence

When is emergency a more appropriate choice than pinch?

While the synonyms emergency and pinch are close in meaning, emergency applies to a sudden unforeseen situation requiring prompt action to avoid disaster.

the presence of mind needed to deal with emergencies

When would exigency be a good substitute for pinch?

The words exigency and pinch can be used in similar contexts, but exigency stresses the pressure of restrictions or urgency of demands created by a special situation.

provide for exigencies

When is it sensible to use juncture instead of pinch?

The words juncture and pinch are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, juncture stresses the significant concurrence or convergence of events.

an important juncture in our country's history

How are the words strait and straits related as synonyms of pinch?

Strait, now commonly straits, applies to a troublesome situation from which escape is extremely difficult.

in dire straits

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 pinch

Noun

Andrew Benintendi began the inning with a single and was lifted for pinch runner Luisangel Acuña. — Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026 Crawford wasn't finished, however, laying down a perfect sacrifice bunt in the seventh to move pinch-runner Derek Hill into scoring position. — CBS News, 1 July 2026

Verb

Starting along short side of rectangle, lay 4 pieces of pepperoni side by side, half-inch apart, and roll into tight cylinder, pinching seam to seal. — ABC News, 29 June 2026 This is one of the best times to refresh your bra and underwear drawer without paying full price — especially if your current ones poke, pinch, slide around, or have completely lost their shape. — Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026

Adjective

Then pinch-hitter Nick Solak hit a sacrifice fly. — ABC News, 13 June 2026 The smart litter box includes safety sensors, an anti-pinch design, and an odor-control system. — Jessica Moore, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pinch

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pinch

Noun

Writers, artists and other creators have long viewed copyright as their first line of defense when threatened with the theft of their work.

— Zoey Forbes, The Dial, 7 July 2026
To conceal the theft from his investors, Correia refused to disclose his company’s financial records and gave false positive updates on SnoOwl’s status.

— Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 6 July 2026

Definition of theft

Noun

Glazer reminded him of the presumption of innocence and told him not to discuss what happened during his arrest, only to speak privately with his attorney.

— Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 2 July 2026
Deputies served the warrant on Adrian Cruz and collected evidence that led to Cruz’s arrest on felony animal cruelty charges, authorities said.

— Velvet Wu July 1, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of arrest

Noun

The divergence is over whether the worker shortage is improving slowly or still getting worse, and what the Supreme Court should do about it.

— Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Lights had been switched off to conserve electricity amid fuel shortages that have gripped Cuba since the beginning of the year.

— Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 6 July 2026

Definition of shortage

Verb

The next step in the process involves the city drafting a redevelopment plan outlining development standards before holding public hearings and seeking additional approvals.

— Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
The handoff that seems minor may decide whether the whole plan holds.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2026

Definition of hold

Verb

Schieffelin, who played football last season because had used up his basketball eligibility, used his bulky frame to grab eight rebounds on an 11-point night.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026
Once the excitement had died down, the team gathered in a circle and a player went up to Haaland, grabbed the back of his neck and kissed his cheek.

— Tim Rohan, NBC news, 6 July 2026

Definition of grab

Verb

There’s a bunch of new things across most of the 2026 range, mainly cosmetic, but also hardware and weight-saving stuff as well.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 July 2026
The measure could incentivize lawmakers to save more money because funds tucked away in the rainy day fund would no longer be considered expenditures counted toward the spending limit.

— Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

Definition of save

Adjective

That kind of granular information is important for emergency responders in the field and planners who make decisions about calling for extra help or ordering evacuations.

— Eric Niiler, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Each extra year of training, for example, translates to $143,000 in additional annual income.

— Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 5 July 2026

Definition of extra

Browse Nearby Words

pince-nez

pinch

pinchbeck

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Style

“Pinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pinch. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of pinch

noun

verb

adjective

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Phrases Containing pinch

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Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on pinch

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

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Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

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Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

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Games & Quizzes