pinch 1 of 3

pinch

2 of 3

verb

1
as in to hold
to squeeze tightly between two surfaces, edges, or points the zipper on those jeans always pinches me

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

pinch

3 of 3

adjective

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
Imagine a system that, every so often, interrupts a predictable rotation with a track a listener might never choose on their own—a musical plot twist that adds a pinch of unpredictability but doesn’t force mismatches. Seth Yudof, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2025 Black cherry offers the perfect pinch of brightness with depth, and it is layered in this scent alongside almond, tonka bean, and rose. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
According to the recall notice, the tow handles on certain Igloo 90 Quart Flip & Tow Rolling Coolers can pinch and crush users’ fingers against the cooler itself. Julia Landwehr, Health, 15 Feb. 2025 One by one each of us, some more reluctantly than others, pinched out a grub and swallowed it whole. Bill Frist, Forbes, 3 Mar. 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
Noun
  • Criminals target spring break travelers with theft, scams, or even more violent crimes.
    Christopher Elliott, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
  • The vehicle theft was reported to the Waterbury Police Department Auto Theft Task Force which began tracking the vehicle before it was disabled using stop sticks around 2 p.m., according to the warrant affidavit.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • One of them ended in dozens of arrests Thursday in Manhattan.
    Axios, Axios, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Bell had a firearm at the time of his arrest, according to police.
    Michael Moore Jr., Miami Herald, 15 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Analysis by the think tank outlines how despite Putin's record spending, Russia's military industrial complex (MIC) is still beset by labor and component shortages, a collapse in arms exports and difficulties in modernizing.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Those shortages have allowed compounding pharmacies to produce and sell their own versions of GLP-1 drugs.
    Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • His divorce from ex-wife Anna Faris was not without drama, and he has been accused of belonging to a church that holds anti-LGBTQ views.
    Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Without granular insight, teams are unable to identify inefficiencies or hold stakeholders accountable for excessive usage.
    Ben Ofiri, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Officers determined the video was from the May 29, 2024, hit-and-run, and were able to identify the three individuals in the car, which is believed to have been stolen, police said.
    Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 18 Mar. 2025
  • New threat intelligence has confirmed that, across 2024, a total of 3.2 billion credentials were stolen.
    Davey Winder, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • He’s minimized the walks, partly due to his willingness to use his curveball early in counts for strikes to get ahead and grab count leverage.
    Fabian Ardaya, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Oh my God, so amazing to grab that artist for Charlotte. ...
    Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • There's no one at home to keep comfortable, and lowering the temperature in winter or increasing it in summer will save real money on your utility bills.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 17 Mar. 2025
  • An autosave feature would be helpful for the future since most people assume programs automatically save their work.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Utah was leading 3-2 with under two minutes to play when the Sabres pulled their goalie for an extra attacker.
    Matthew Fairburn, The Athletic, 21 Mar. 2025
  • One of these absolutes is that idea that having walkable cities or towns means no cars, fewer cars, extra taxes or tolls on cars—basically any notion that feels like a punishment to car drivers.
    Megha Satyanarayana, Scientific American, 21 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pinch. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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