as in squeezed
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Dissimilar Words
as in seized
to take or make use of under a guise of authority but without actual right
the fleeing bank robber pressed a nearby taxi into service as a getaway car
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in shoved
to push steadily against with some force
an old doorbell that requires you to press the button hard
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
3
as in huddled
to gather into a closely packed group
everyone pressed around me to see the pictures
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
5
as in compelled
to cause (a person) to give in to pressure
a manager pressed by a business crisis to return from his vacation ahead of schedule
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in urged
to try to persuade (someone) through earnest appeals to follow a course of action
pressed us to go with them to the school board meeting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in emphasized
to indicate the importance of by centering attention on
an office e-mail that presses the need for greater vigilance concerning building security
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of pressed
Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Feb. 2026
New England’s Drake Maye, 23, is the second-youngest quarterback to start a Super Bowl (Dan Marino was the youngest) and will be hard-pressed to find much success against Seattle’s dominant defense.
—Keven Lerner, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
They’re favored by 3 1/2 points over the New England Patriots, who will be hard-pressed to overcome Seattle’s powerful lines, explosiveness and complete roster.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
In several enclosures, feces had accumulated so high that cats were forced to remain pressed against the tops of the cages, with little to no room to move.
—Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 21 Jan. 2026
Given all the cancellations listed above, Prime Video may be hard pressed to make a mark with anything new in 2026.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 28 Dec. 2025
The Haussers were more pressed for time.
—Literary Hub, 16 Dec. 2025
Now, City Council meeting attendees would be hard-pressed to find a meeting without some bickering on the dais.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Dec. 2025
But even the president’s strongest supporters would be hard-pressed to oppose them on the merits.
—Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 27 Nov. 2025
Saige Miller, NPR, 14 Feb. 2026
Tablets are pressed into shape, rather than being contained.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
During the hearing, senators pressed Carl on past controversial comments about Israel, Jews and the Holocaust.
—Lauren Peller, ABC News, 13 Feb. 2026
Zelensky has also pressed Western partners to provide more sophisticated air defense systems and missiles to help defend Ukraine.
—Illia Novikov, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
This is what happens when the world slows down just enough to feel it—the strange and beautiful pleasure of being nowhere in particular, with people who’ve also pressed pause on their lives.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Feb. 2026
Republicans, arguing that immigration agencies already have ample funding, have pressed Democrats to back a continuing resolution to buy time for talks.
—Nik Popli, Time, 11 Feb. 2026
Fattman then pressed Healey on soaring energy costs in Massachusetts, referencing the findings of an independent study that found state policies and climate mandates are the driver behind increasing utility bills.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 11 Feb. 2026
After all, some Republicans have pressed her and her department on this issue.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
The full ad, which dropped on Thursday, features a virtually unrecognizable Fieri clad in sensible slacks and a pressed button-up, without his iconic frosted tips or goatee.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Feb. 2026
New England’s Drake Maye, 23, is the second-youngest quarterback to start a Super Bowl (Dan Marino was the youngest) and will be hard-pressed to find much success against Seattle’s dominant defense.
—Keven Lerner, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
They’re favored by 3 1/2 points over the New England Patriots, who will be hard-pressed to overcome Seattle’s powerful lines, explosiveness and complete roster.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
In several enclosures, feces had accumulated so high that cats were forced to remain pressed against the tops of the cages, with little to no room to move.
—Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 21 Jan. 2026
Given all the cancellations listed above, Prime Video may be hard pressed to make a mark with anything new in 2026.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 28 Dec. 2025
The Haussers were more pressed for time.
—Literary Hub, 16 Dec. 2025
Now, City Council meeting attendees would be hard-pressed to find a meeting without some bickering on the dais.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Dec. 2025
But even the president’s strongest supporters would be hard-pressed to oppose them on the merits.
—Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 27 Nov. 2025
Verb
In one instance, Massie pressed Bondi on why some names, including Wexner's, were redacted.
—Saige Miller, NPR, 14 Feb. 2026
Tablets are pressed into shape, rather than being contained.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
During the hearing, senators pressed Carl on past controversial comments about Israel, Jews and the Holocaust.
—Lauren Peller, ABC News, 13 Feb. 2026
Zelensky has also pressed Western partners to provide more sophisticated air defense systems and missiles to help defend Ukraine.
—Illia Novikov, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
This is what happens when the world slows down just enough to feel it—the strange and beautiful pleasure of being nowhere in particular, with people who’ve also pressed pause on their lives.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Feb. 2026
Republicans, arguing that immigration agencies already have ample funding, have pressed Democrats to back a continuing resolution to buy time for talks.
—Nik Popli, Time, 11 Feb. 2026
Fattman then pressed Healey on soaring energy costs in Massachusetts, referencing the findings of an independent study that found state policies and climate mandates are the driver behind increasing utility bills.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 11 Feb. 2026
After all, some Republicans have pressed her and her department on this issue.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pressed
Adjective
-
Top with crushed peppermints, candy canes, star mints, sprinkles, or any other holiday garnish that suits your fancy.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
8 Feb. 2026
-
To appeal to the masses this one includes cheese dip and crushed croutons.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
China’s military has unveiled a combat drone converted from a Soviet–era fighter jet, a development that could enable massed drone attacks in any future conflict over Taiwan.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pressed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pressed. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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