1
as in reduced
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2
as in gaunt
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
1
2
as in stole
to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep
pinched the earrings while the boutique owner was distracted by another customer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in arrested
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in saved
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pinched
Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 5 Mar. 2026
Hosts Newcastle United had 10 men for the whole of the second half but somehow pinched a 2-1 win in the final throes of the contest.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Higher gas prices would crimp household budgets at a time when many consumers are already feeling pinched by an affordability crunch, with Americans expressing concerns about the rising cost of food, health care and housing.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
The shelves are bare, and the pennies are being pinched.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2026
Daintily pinched fabric on the hem of a flat sheet is almost like a little secret.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 28 Feb. 2026
Like Home Depot, Lowe’s has felt pinched by a tougher backdrop for the industry.
—Melissa Repko, CNBC, 25 Feb. 2026
They were pinched, prodded, cut, shocked, pierced with needles, struck with canes, and burned with acid.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
The pocket is easily pinched closed.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
Verb
At one point during the scuffle, McGinnis was lifted from the ground as the officers and senator were trying to physically remove him, and his left hand was apparently pinched in the gap between the hinge side of the door and the adjacent molding.
—Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 5 Mar. 2026
Hosts Newcastle United had 10 men for the whole of the second half but somehow pinched a 2-1 win in the final throes of the contest.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Higher gas prices would crimp household budgets at a time when many consumers are already feeling pinched by an affordability crunch, with Americans expressing concerns about the rising cost of food, health care and housing.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
The shelves are bare, and the pennies are being pinched.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2026
Daintily pinched fabric on the hem of a flat sheet is almost like a little secret.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 28 Feb. 2026
Like Home Depot, Lowe’s has felt pinched by a tougher backdrop for the industry.
—Melissa Repko, CNBC, 25 Feb. 2026
They were pinched, prodded, cut, shocked, pierced with needles, struck with canes, and burned with acid.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
The pocket is easily pinched closed.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pinched
Adjective
-
Drive at a reduced speed during wet weather.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Telmisartan was also linked to reduced levels of PD-L1, a protein in tumor cells that helps to escape immune attack.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
As Alpha waits for the results of blood tests, she is startled by the sudden appearance of a gaunt, jittery stranger in their apartment.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Lie’s Evans is gaunt and distant, a shy man hidden behind a veil of cigarette smoke, unable to process — or even express — his grief.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Merrimack College was eliminated by North Dakota, Providence College was bounced by Quinnipiac and the University of Connecticut was nipped by Michigan State on Thursday.—
Barry Scanlon,
Boston Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
-
There was also a scuba aesthetic that continued from last season with honkering inflatable coats, cocooning anoraks, and neoprene blazers nipped at the waist that looked like couture life vests and scuba suits.—
Kevin Huynh,
InStyle,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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After the second pitch, Joey Loperfido stole second base and Christian Walker scored on the play thanks to a throwing error by catcher Connor Wong.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
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Nestlé revealed that thieves stole 12 tons of KitKat products while the candy was in transit between the company’s factory in central Italy and its destination in Poland.—
Samantha Agate,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Aaron Alex, 26, of Dallas; Bronya Freeman, 24, of Dallas; and Jay Jones, 28, of Lancaster, were arrested March 22 after a five-month investigation, police said.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Over the course of two weeks, two Laurel Highlands teachers were arrested after being accused of having inappropriate relationships with students.—
Ricky Sayer,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In another area, a mother and daughter, white with black spots, were saved from being hoarded and getting killed for meat.—
Sharon Chin,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
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According to the Northwestern Mutual survey, nearly three-quarters of Gen Z already have saved more than one year of income toward retirement.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Rocking back and forth nervously during a television appearance, a haggard-looking Diaz-Canel acknowledged the same talks, which his government had denied were taking place just days before.—
Patrick Oppmann,
CNN Money,
22 Mar. 2026
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Wrexham, meanwhile, was near the bottom, struggling in England’s lowest division under a haggard fan-ownership group keeping it on life support.—
Justin Birnbaum,
Sportico.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The rapper, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, has been held at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center since he was arrested in September 2024.—
Daniel S. Levine,
People.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
That means every state budget could be held hostage until the whims of a small fraction of legislators is satisfied.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pinched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pinched. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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