as in squeezed
Related Words
Relevance
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
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 pressed
Dick Durbin,
Chicago Tribune,
28 June 2026
Not all fashions from the Roman Empire stand up to present scrutiny—you’d be hard pressed to find a toga worn anywhere but a frat party, for instance.
—
Eric Twardzik,
Robb Report,
22 June 2026
In heat waves, Aid stations could be hard-pressed to manage everyone affected.
—
Arthur L. Kellermann,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
New York will be hard-pressed to continue scoring at that level in the championship.
—
James L. Edwards Iii,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
The pressed setting powder on top is ultra-finely-milled to resist undereye creasing and smooth fine lines, while the lower loose powder underneath is designed to blur the complexion and absorb oil without making skin look flat.
—
Olivia Cigliano,
InStyle,
22 May 2026
And SirVocea Dennis, who started 16 games at linebacker, will be hard-pressed to find regular playing time.
—
John Romano,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 May 2026
China has been mostly sitting out the conflict, at least publicly, viewing it as a spasm of violence emanating from a superpower hard-pressed to assert its hegemony over a weaker opponent.
—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
7 May 2026
Jako Wellness Cafe is the newest addition to Ladera’s dining scene, serving pressed juices, smoothies, and nutrient-rich dishes harvested directly from the resort’s gardens.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Apr. 2026
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 July 2026
Read my full story about the TV interview where Marshall was pressed repeatedly about his political ambitions.
—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
2 July 2026
France withdrew direct aid to Mysore following the 1783 Treaty of Paris, at a moment when Mysore’s forces could have pressed their advantage.
—
Ishaan Tharoor,
New Yorker,
2 July 2026
Curtis said when pressed by cohost Craig Melvin about there being more to the story.
—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 July 2026
Bake cake until top is golden and springs back when gently pressed, 28–30 minutes.
—
Joe Sevier,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 July 2026
Neither team has pressed forward with much conviction in the first 15 minutes, and after some back-and-forth passing on the back line of the Netherlands' defense, boos could be heard from restless spectators in Monterrey.
—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
30 June 2026
In conventional winemaking, white grapes are pressed and the juice ferments separately from the skins.
—
Michelle Williams,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
The day of the match, McNicholas recalled standing outside the stadium — one ear tuned into the cheers of fans inside and the other pressed to a phone with StubHub customer service.
—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
30 June 2026
Adjective
But most Americans would be hard-pressed to find it.
—
Dick Durbin,
Chicago Tribune,
28 June 2026
Not all fashions from the Roman Empire stand up to present scrutiny—you’d be hard pressed to find a toga worn anywhere but a frat party, for instance.
—
Eric Twardzik,
Robb Report,
22 June 2026
In heat waves, Aid stations could be hard-pressed to manage everyone affected.
—
Arthur L. Kellermann,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
New York will be hard-pressed to continue scoring at that level in the championship.
—
James L. Edwards Iii,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
The pressed setting powder on top is ultra-finely-milled to resist undereye creasing and smooth fine lines, while the lower loose powder underneath is designed to blur the complexion and absorb oil without making skin look flat.
—
Olivia Cigliano,
InStyle,
22 May 2026
And SirVocea Dennis, who started 16 games at linebacker, will be hard-pressed to find regular playing time.
—
John Romano,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 May 2026
China has been mostly sitting out the conflict, at least publicly, viewing it as a spasm of violence emanating from a superpower hard-pressed to assert its hegemony over a weaker opponent.
—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
7 May 2026
Jako Wellness Cafe is the newest addition to Ladera’s dining scene, serving pressed juices, smoothies, and nutrient-rich dishes harvested directly from the resort’s gardens.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
Smid also pressed Garcia on why, during the initial investigation, Garcia chose not to attempt to secure recordings of King’s harassing behavior.
—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 July 2026
Read my full story about the TV interview where Marshall was pressed repeatedly about his political ambitions.
—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
2 July 2026
France withdrew direct aid to Mysore following the 1783 Treaty of Paris, at a moment when Mysore’s forces could have pressed their advantage.
—
Ishaan Tharoor,
New Yorker,
2 July 2026
Curtis said when pressed by cohost Craig Melvin about there being more to the story.
—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 July 2026
Bake cake until top is golden and springs back when gently pressed, 28–30 minutes.
—
Joe Sevier,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 July 2026
Neither team has pressed forward with much conviction in the first 15 minutes, and after some back-and-forth passing on the back line of the Netherlands' defense, boos could be heard from restless spectators in Monterrey.
—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
30 June 2026
In conventional winemaking, white grapes are pressed and the juice ferments separately from the skins.
—
Michelle Williams,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
The day of the match, McNicholas recalled standing outside the stadium — one ear tuned into the cheers of fans inside and the other pressed to a phone with StubHub customer service.
—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
30 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pressed
Adjective
-
Many have camped out along the edge of the piles of crushed concrete and rebar, awaiting any word of their relatives.
-
Garnish with more crushed red pepper and fresh oregano.
Verb
-
Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, who voted against the proposal in mid-June, voiced fears that the list of noncitizen voters would immediately be seized by federal immigration authorities.
-
Meanwhile, Russia’s military on Saturday claimed to have seized the city of Kostiantynivka, a key defensive hub in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region.
Verb
-
Just strings of numbers, mostly, that would otherwise be shoved out of short-term memory by more numbers.
-
Thomas shoved Clark to the floor, and proceeded to put her fist into Clark's throat before stepping on her.
Verb
-
The performance uptick that Motorola squeezed from the 2026 Razr+ is minor at best, with results showing no significant year-over-year gains.
-
There was Paris squeezed between meetings on a fleeting work trip.
Verb
-
Inside at Revel Lounge, half the après crowd sips cocktails in robes and slippers while the other half have logged back on with work and are huddled away in the bar’s many discreet nooks and corners.
-
My high-octane mutt was leaping around the patio table and barking excitedly while my neighbors huddled together over their steaks.
Verb
-
Earlier this week Iran also pushed back against a statement from France’s President Emmanuel Macron that said France, Oman and others would collaborate on removing mines from the strait.
-
Falling oil prices and the easing of a commodities crunch have pushed countries — wary of being left exposed by another global crisis akin to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz — to shore up their stockpiles.
Verb
-
When Sedalia businessman Jorge Guevara saw on social media Tuesday that the Royals’ 50-50 charity raffle was going toward the American Red Cross’ earthquake relief efforts in Venezuela, he instantly was compelled to enter online.
-
The sidewalk in front of my house had some lips and dips that could’ve compelled me to rent heavy equipment and get to work.
Verb
-
The union’s chief negotiator urged Newsom and the state’s other leaders to include a raise for SEIU Local 1000 employees in light of the state’s relatively strong budget.
-
Democratic campaign committees also urged the Supreme Court to uphold the caps.
Cite this Entry
“Pressed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pressed. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
