squeezed; squeezing

transitive verb

1
a
: to exert pressure especially on opposite sides of : compress
b
: to extract or emit under pressure
c
: to force or thrust by compression
2
a(1)
: to get by extortion
(2)
: to deprive by extortion
b
: to cause economic hardship to
c
: to reduce the amount of
squeezes profits
3
: to crowd into a limited area
4
: to gain or win by a narrow margin
5
: to force (another player) to discard in bridge so as to unguard a suit
6
: to score by means of a squeeze play

intransitive verb

1
: to give way before pressure
2
: to exert pressure
also : to practice extortion or oppression
3
: to force one's way
squeeze through a door
4
: to pass, win, or get by narrowly
squeezer noun

squeeze

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: an act or instance of squeezing : compression
b
: handclasp
also : embrace
2
a
: a quantity squeezed out from something
a squeeze of lemon
b
: a group crowded together : crowd
3
: a profit taken by a middleman on goods or transactions
4
: a financial pressure caused by narrowing margins or by shortages
5
: a forced discard in bridge
6
7
slang : a romantic partner
she's my main squeeze

Examples of squeeze in a Sentence

Verb He lightly squeezed her hand and smiled. Gently squeeze the fruit to see if it's ripe. Hold it securely but don't squeeze too hard.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Verb
Carving her own musical lane in an industry so determined to squeeze her into a box has been a challenge, but PinkPantheress isn’t one to let outside voices get to her. Chris Malone Méndez, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025 Plus, this portable Bluetooth karaoke machine is small enough to squeeze into an Easter basket. Jacquelyn Smith, Parents, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
State of play: Senate Republicans are facing a similar squeeze right now ahead of a vote on a measure from Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) to terminate Trump's earlier national emergency. Andrew Solender, Axios, 2 Apr. 2025 An independent analysis from the Yale Budget Lab found a 20 percent broad tariff on all imports could put a squeeze on most households. Elizabeth Crisp, The Hill, 2 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for squeeze

Word History

Etymology

Verb

alteration of obsolete English quease, from Middle English queysen, from Old English cwȳsan; akin to Icelandic kveisa stomach cramps

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1601, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of squeeze was circa 1601

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Squeeze.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/squeeze. Accessed 12 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

squeezed; squeezing
1
a
: to press together from the opposite sides of : compress
squeeze wet clay into a ball
b
: to get by squeezing
squeeze juice from a lemon
c
: to force or thrust by compression : crowd
squeezed into the car
2
a
: to force (as by threats) money, goods, or services from
squeezed their tenants mercilessly
b
: to reduce the amount of
rising costs squeezed profits
3
: to gain or win by a narrow margin
squeezer noun

squeeze

2 of 2 noun
1
: an act or instance of squeezing
2
: financial pressure
put the squeeze on someone
3
slang : a romantic partner
she's my main squeeze

More from Merriam-Webster on squeeze

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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