1
2
as in arrests
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
3
as in lacks
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
1
2
as in steals
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
3
as in seizes
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
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4
as in saves
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pinches
Literary Hub, 24 Nov. 2025
There’s the moment Stanton’s Håkon Werle pinches the back of his son’s neck, like a cruel master bringing his dog to heel.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Sep. 2025
For Spraggins’ colleague, Josie Wheeler — who still sometimes pinches herself at going from bartending to meetings with nuclear power plant operators — Accenture is a lifetime commitment.
—Andy Tonsing, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
This pinches the space between them so only the high-k dielectric completely surrounds them.
—IEEE Spectrum, 14 Dec. 2017
Verb
Dad pinches my cheek between his first two fingers with a soppy look in his eyes.
—Literary Hub, 24 Nov. 2025
There’s the moment Stanton’s Håkon Werle pinches the back of his son’s neck, like a cruel master bringing his dog to heel.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Sep. 2025
For Spraggins’ colleague, Josie Wheeler — who still sometimes pinches herself at going from bartending to meetings with nuclear power plant operators — Accenture is a lifetime commitment.
—Andy Tonsing, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
This pinches the space between them so only the high-k dielectric completely surrounds them.
—IEEE Spectrum, 14 Dec. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pinches
Noun
-
One of the latest Minneapolis car thefts presented a nightmare for a mom, watching as a stranger drove away with her 3-month-old baby still in the vehicle.—
Conor Wight,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Police in late March warned of a string of vehicle thefts across the Loop and South Loop.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This is the second protest over the law in the Capitol that has ended in arrests.—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The majority of those arrests are made by Florida Highway Patrol troopers.—
Meg Anderson,
NPR,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
As of Wednesday, firearms dealers are required under state law to use scanners that pull the prospective purchaser’s name, date of birth and other details from the card’s magnetic strip, which the new design lacks — except if they are authorized otherwise.—
Madison Smalstig,
Sacbee.com,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Each provides amino acids that the other lacks, so eating them together gives you all the essential amino acids.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Congress holds first hearing in 50 years on UFOs following reports of unexplained aerial phenomena by the military.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Cost-efficient energy and chemical production Researchers revealed that solar-power photocatalysis – turning sunlight into energy – holds promise for sustainable and cost-efficient energy and chemical production.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Deed theft is essentially when someone steals a house, often forging the paperwork, and data obtained by CBS News New York shows a 240% increase in complaints to the New York Attorney General's Office from 2023 to 2025.—
Tim McNicholas,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The team leader also has a lot of support from sophomore forward Sarah Strong, who leads UConn in points, rebounds, blocks, and steals.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Earnest and intersectional, the spoken word artist’s debut solo album seizes upon the power of club music to preach about gender equality, personal transformation, and communal uplift.—
Jesse Dorris,
Pitchfork,
25 Mar. 2026
-
So, when Ozzie (Kyle Bary), a former child star, finds himself in a heap of trouble, Jax seizes the opportunity to spice up her daily routine.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Building this into your trip early saves headaches later.—
Lauren Schuster,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Born with Down syndrome, the South Elgin resident saves his money to purchase toys for his local fire district’s Toys for Tots drive (Scooby-Doo puzzles and Hot Wheels featured prominently).—
Darcel Rockett,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Ciere Boatright, Johnson’s Department of Planning and Development commissioner, said the up-for-grabs inventory is the largest since the vacant lot sale program began in 2022.—
Jake Sheridan,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
-
By the tournament’s final night, one spot remained up for grabs.—
Albert Samaha,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pinches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pinches. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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