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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
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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
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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
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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
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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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Cite this Entry
“Pinches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pinches. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.
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