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
As ongoing inflation continues to deplete household budgets, perhaps nowhere is the pinch felt more strongly than in grocery aisles. —Anne Marie D. Lee, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2025 Whisk in the vinegar, lemon juice and a pinch of salt and black pepper to taste. —Wire Report, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2025
Verb
Igloo is recalling an additional 130,000 rolling coolers sold at Costco, Target and Dick's Sporting Goods because the handle can pinch – and possibly amputate – fingertips, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. —Mike Snider, USA Today, 19 May 2025 He got pinched, and rather characteristically, by the Derby traffic in the early going, and had to recover. —Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 17 May 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
  • Antoine Massey, 32, faces charges of domestic abuse involving strangulation, theft of a motor vehicle and a parole violation.
    — Anders Hagstrom , Nate Foy , Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2025
  • This is in large part due to rampant theft of familiar old-school icons; items like My Computer, Calculator, Minesweeper, Search, and more look like they were taken directly from a classic Microsoft tile set.
    — John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 23 May 2025
Definition of theft
Noun
  • The May 21 shooting stemmed from a male customer being upset with his food, deputies said in an arrest warrant.
    — Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 26 May 2025
  • Police reports since 2023 include a call to clear the building, a property damage report, a trespassing arrest and a reported robbery in March.
    — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 26 May 2025
Definition of arrest
Noun
  • At the time Volkswagen was the first automaker to warn of a global chip shortage.
    — Steve Banker, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
  • The rights of property owners aren’t always given the appropriate amount of respect, especially in a time of housing shortages and rising rents.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 30 May 2025
Definition of shortage
Verb
  • Ezra Levin, the head of Indivisible, a grassroots movement associated with the movement, told the Jim Acosta Show that an upcoming coordinated protest on June 14, President Donald Trump's birthday and Flag Day, would take place in areas away from where Trump is holding a parade.
    — Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
  • The Forty Mile Tattoo Convention will be held Friday, July 25, to Sunday, July 27, at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Sacramento, 3317 Forty Mile Road in Wheatland.
    — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 28 May 2025
Definition of hold
Verb
  • Sophomore infielder Luke Nixon was responsible for half of them, stealing 14 in 16 attempts.
    — Mitch Light, New York Times, 29 May 2025
  • Months later, in October 2022, Holt was dating another woman whom he is accused of stealing $5,000 from, according to prosecutors.
    — Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 28 May 2025
Definition of steal
Verb
  • In the morning, the restaurant doubles as a coffee shop where guests can grab drip coffee, fresh juices, and a small selection of hot and cold breakfast options, including the beloved Hawaiian classic, Loco Moco.
    — Jalyn Robinson, Travel + Leisure, 25 May 2025
  • The colorful bar framed in bright neon lights is on the main concourse, so people walking by can grab a drink and head to the casino or other favorite activity, Allen said.
    — Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 24 May 2025
Definition of grab
Verb
  • Right now, new users can save up to 52% on their first year of LifeLock Ultimate Plus coverage, including their Million Dollar Protection Package.
    — Advertising Content From Norton, PC Magazine, 28 May 2025
  • Thus, providing incentives to companies who offer stress management resources could ultimately save money as well as help people age more healthfully.
    — Jennifer E. Graham-Engeland, The Conversation, 28 May 2025
Definition of save
Adjective
  • The match went to the second half of extra time still level, but not before LAFC suffered a significant loss.
    — Avi Creditor, New York Times, 1 June 2025
  • The final dish is creamy, rich, and cheesy—extra cheesy even!
    — Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 1 June 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 4 Jun. 2025.

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