pinch 1 of 3

noun

Definition of pinchnext
1
as in theft
an instance of theft the pinch of my favorite sweater really bugged me!

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

pinch

2 of 3

verb

ˈpinch How to pronounce pinch (audio)
1
as in to hold
to squeeze tightly between two surfaces, edges, or points the zipper on those jeans always pinches me

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

pinch

3 of 3

adjective

as in extra

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
But by the late 1920s, financial issues were putting the pinch on Sweeney’s operation. —Randy Mason, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2025 So went the Dodgers’ unbeaten start, which ended in front of a raucous crowd at Citizens Bank Park with a replay review ruling that pinch runner Chris Taylor was caught trying to steal second base while representing the tying run. —Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
Verb
Fest remembers her time as a single mother in Liberty, pinching together change to make ends meet. —Alecia Taylor, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2025 The 25% tariffs are expected to disrupt the global automotive industry, raise the cost of vehicles in the United States, and pinch automakers' earnings. —Akash Sriram and Arsheeya Bajwa, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Pinch runner Tony Kemp was then stranded at third, emblematic of Oakland’s offensive frustrations, as Ramón Laureano struck out, Canha walked, Olson popped up and pinch-hitter Robbie Grossman struck out against Casey Sadler. —Susan Slusser, SFChronicle.com, 26 Sep. 2020 See All Example Sentences for pinch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pinch
  1. theft
  2. arrest
  3. shortage
  4. hold
  5. steal
  6. grab
  7. save
  8. extra
Noun
  • The Diamond Heist, which premiered on April 16, follows the story of Lee Wenham, one of the masterminds behind what would have been one of the biggest jewel thefts in history.
    — Jessica Sager, People.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Prosecutors have charged the teen with two counts of first-degree homicide, as well as identity theft and other theft charges.
    — A.C. Thompson, ProPublica, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of theft
Noun
  • For many in attendance, the commemoration has new meaning amid federal immigration enforcement targeting immigrant communities, including the risk of arrest at a place of worship.
    — Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Her arrest came after receipts were found by police indicating her involvement.
    — Escher Walcott, People.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of arrest
Noun
  • Earlier this month, analysts at BTIG said tariffs could make dining operators like Texas Roadhouse vulnerable to supply chain disruptions and product shortages.
    — Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 25 Apr. 2025
  • What these Deals Tell Us About Investor Demand The first quarter transactions in Brooklyn and Manhattan signal robust investor confidence in free market multifamily, driven by the appeal of assets with minimal regulatory constraints and the city's persistent housing shortage.
    — Shimon Shkury, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Definition of shortage
Verb
  • At the lowest income levels, only about 13% of households held retirement accounts in 2022, according to the federal Survey of Consumer Finances.
    — Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Every child in New York deserves the chance to learn basic literacy, numeracy, science, and civics — skills essential for participating in society, holding a job, and fulfilling civic duties like voting or serving on a jury.
    — David Bloomfield, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2025
Definition of hold
Verb
  • The Pacers will return home for Games 5 and 7 (if necessary), which means the Bucks would need to steal two road wins to advance.
    — Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The return would be enough to steal Abbott from the Reds.
    — Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
Definition of steal
Verb
  • Antetokounmpo finished the game by scoring 36 points, grabbing 13 rebounds, and blocking two shots.
    — Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Police said that once Davis left the apartment, the surviving 10-year-old quickly grabbed her baby brother, locked the door and called for help.
    — Chris Spargo, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of grab
Verb
  • Bobby manages to save Chimney, who falls ill and starts coughing up blood while responding to the lab blaze.
    — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Governments couldn’t borrow money at home or abroad to save the banks or to meet their debt obligations, much less to spend their way out of the recession.
    — JAVIER CORRALES, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Definition of save
Adjective
  • Releasing alongside the console is a Switch 2 exclusive Mario Kart World, which can be purchased in a bundle with the console for an extra $50.
    — Carlie Procell, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • For extra protection, Nelson suggests changing clothes immediately after returning home.
    — Katelyn Squiers, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Apr. 2025
Definition of extra

Phrases Containing pinch

Browse Nearby Words

pince-nez
pinch
pinchbeck
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Cite this Entry

“Pinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pinch. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

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