as in close
giving or sharing as little as possible
neighborhood kids who were trick-or-treating knew better than to bother to knock on that pinching couple's door
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in saving
the quality or practice of being overly sparing with money
this constant pinching is getting ridiculous—we can afford to turn on one or two lights!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in stealing
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 arresting
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 conserving
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of pinching
Bestreviews, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
In digital tests, wearers used natural pinching and grasping gestures to zoom and manipulate virtual objects on a computer screen with fluid precision.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 25 Mar. 2026
The penny pinching has small business owners complaining about hard times.
—ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026
The bra’s signature M frame creates a sturdy structure that supports your chest sans underwire — thereby avoiding any digging, pinching, and poking throughout the day.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
Made from SpanxSmooth material—a lightweight nylon-and-elastane blend—the bralette feels almost weightless and provides gentle smoothing without any digging or pinching.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 30 Nov. 2025
Walter’s first full season in charge was the end of the penny pinching that existed under prior owner Frank McCourt.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 27 Oct. 2025
The shoes have a wide toe box with plenty of room for feet to spread out, which helps prevent painful pinching and accommodates foot issues.
—Isabel Garcia, People.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Literary Hub, 27 Mar. 2026
What's a penny-pinching grandparent to do?
—Lynne Sullivan, The Providence Journal, 14 Mar. 2026
However, that kind of financially freewheeling behavior has placed the Dolphins in their present cap hell, dwelling in an accounting mess the franchise will spend the next season pinching pennies for, forced to navigate their way out of.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
For healthier harvests, pinching encourages side shoots to grow, resulting in fuller plants.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026
The best way to pick strawberries is by taking the stem between two fingers and pinching until the stem breaks, says Warner.
—Lauren Wellbank, Martha Stewart, 5 Mar. 2026
On an iPhone, do this via the dial at the bottom of your camera instead of pinching and zooming; the former retains more quality.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Outside, 1 Mar. 2026
In this beloved holiday classic, The Muppets perform Charles Dickens’ classic holiday tale, with Kermit the Frog playing Bob Cratchit, Michael Caine as the penny-pinching Ebenezer Scrooge, and many more of your favorite Muppet characters.
—Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Feb. 2026
The son of an emotionally remote father and penny-pinching mom, Smith was born the eldest of two boys in Tacoma.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
Noun
The memory foam construction also provides plush cushioning to prevent pinching.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
In digital tests, wearers used natural pinching and grasping gestures to zoom and manipulate virtual objects on a computer screen with fluid precision.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 25 Mar. 2026
The penny pinching has small business owners complaining about hard times.
—ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026
The bra’s signature M frame creates a sturdy structure that supports your chest sans underwire — thereby avoiding any digging, pinching, and poking throughout the day.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
Made from SpanxSmooth material—a lightweight nylon-and-elastane blend—the bralette feels almost weightless and provides gentle smoothing without any digging or pinching.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 30 Nov. 2025
Walter’s first full season in charge was the end of the penny pinching that existed under prior owner Frank McCourt.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 27 Oct. 2025
The shoes have a wide toe box with plenty of room for feet to spread out, which helps prevent painful pinching and accommodates foot issues.
—Isabel Garcia, People.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
The woman in the chitenge was, by then, standing next to the cop, pinching her neck with one hand, dangling a set of keys in the other.
—Literary Hub, 27 Mar. 2026
What's a penny-pinching grandparent to do?
—Lynne Sullivan, The Providence Journal, 14 Mar. 2026
However, that kind of financially freewheeling behavior has placed the Dolphins in their present cap hell, dwelling in an accounting mess the franchise will spend the next season pinching pennies for, forced to navigate their way out of.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
For healthier harvests, pinching encourages side shoots to grow, resulting in fuller plants.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026
The best way to pick strawberries is by taking the stem between two fingers and pinching until the stem breaks, says Warner.
—Lauren Wellbank, Martha Stewart, 5 Mar. 2026
On an iPhone, do this via the dial at the bottom of your camera instead of pinching and zooming; the former retains more quality.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Outside, 1 Mar. 2026
In this beloved holiday classic, The Muppets perform Charles Dickens’ classic holiday tale, with Kermit the Frog playing Bob Cratchit, Michael Caine as the penny-pinching Ebenezer Scrooge, and many more of your favorite Muppet characters.
—Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Feb. 2026
The son of an emotionally remote father and penny-pinching mom, Smith was born the eldest of two boys in Tacoma.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pinching
Adjective
-
Nevada County’s admission comes as AI programs are under close watch around the globe for introducing incorrect legal references in cases, yet also increasingly offered as tools to help lawyers and judges research and write their briefs, motions and opinions.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Catcher Danny Jansen hit a three-run home run in the seventh inning to bust open a close game, and the Rangers held on for an 8-5 road win over the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday.—
Jim Barnes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But multimillionaire serial investor and entrepreneur Kevin O’Leary says saving is more important than ever before.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Books like ‘Project Hail Mary’ Earth-saving expeditions.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Iran's players sing the national anthem, holding school bags symbolizing children killed at a school in Minab, before a soccer match between Iran and Nigeria, in Antalya, Turkey, on March 27, 2026.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Temptations to overspend will surface, but the key is holding steady without being rigid.—
Kirah Tabourn,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the movie, which was progressive for its time, the trans character attempts suicide after being subjected to emotional and physical abuse by the manipulative Sonny, who tries to make amends by going rogue and stealing money for their surgery.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
While South Florida locals debate whether Fort Lauderdale is truly stealing Miami’s thunder, Smorgasburg’s move from the 305 to the 954 is indicative of Fort Lauderdale’s growing food scene and appeal to young people.—
Amanda Rosa
March 31,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Federal officials reinstated the 1998 order in February after arresting her.—
Sophie Austin,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
-
However, just before the ceremony was set to begin, two officials from the county's sheriff's office halted the wedding by arresting Armstrong.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The International Energy Agency (IEA) last week released a list of energy-conserving measures for consumers, including working from home, driving more slowly and carpooling.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
As with her earlier work, ecotourism will be a crucial component of conserving these feral swamplands and dry tropical forests at the heart of South America.—
The Editors,
Outside,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
An assembly of planets in Aries moves through your twelfth house, stirring emotions behind the scenes and asking for careful tending.—
Kirah Tabourn,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
-
To the begonia collectors out there, Begona Black Velvet, with large leaves that could have fallen from a maple tree, is worth a careful look.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Inflation continues to pressure consumers The holiday economizing comes as Americans continue to battle inflation, which rose after the COVID-19 pandemic to levels not seen since the 1980s.—
Alexander Coolidge,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
11 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pinching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pinching. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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