pinch

1 of 3

verb

ˈpinch

pinched; pinching; pinches

transitive verb

: to squeeze between the finger and thumb or between the jaws of an instrument

: to prune the tip of (a plant or shoot) usually to induce branching

: to squeeze or compress painfully

: to cause physical or mental pain to

e(1)

: to cause to appear thin, haggard, or shrunken

(2)

: to cause to shrivel or wither

: to subject to strict economy or want : straiten

: to restrain or limit narrowly : constrict

: steal

: arrest

: to sail too close to the wind

intransitive verb

: compress, squeeze

: to be miserly or closefisted

: to press painfully

: narrow, taper

the road pinched down to a trail

Cecelia Holland

pinch

2 of 3

noun

: a critical juncture : emergency

b(1)

: pressure, stress

(2)

: hardship, privation

: deficit

: an act of pinching : squeeze

: as much as may be taken between the finger and thumb

a pinch of snuff

: a very small amount

: a marked thinning of a vein or bed

: theft

: a police raid

also : arrest

pinch

3 of 3

adjective

: substitute

pinch runner

: hit by a pinch hitter

a pinch homer

Example Sentences

Verb My little brother is always trying to pinch me. He pinched her cheeks and told her how cute she was. Pinch together the edges of the dough. He pinched the top of his nose to stop the bleeding and leaned forward. He pinched off the top of the shoots. She pinched back the new growth. These new shoes are pinching my toes. I pinched my fingers in the door. By pinching and scraping, she managed to save enough money to buy a new car. Noun the pinch of my favorite sweater really bugged me! an innocent person caught up in a city-wide pinch of drug dealers Adjective A pinch homer won the game. See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The Reds opted to pinch-hit for Mike Moustakas in the ninth inning Saturday with two runners on base and left-handed closer Will Smith on the mound.

Bobby Nightengale, The Enquirer, 3 July 2022 There have been moments when Moore has wanted to pinch herself.

Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 16 July 2022 Bryan Shaw relieved Pilkington and gave up a two-run double to pinch-hitter Seth Brown that sailed over the head of Myles Straw in center.

Joe Noga, cleveland, 9 June 2022 Leading 6-2, Harris went out the to finish the game for Santana, but walked two hitters and gave up an RBI double to pinch-hitter Dominic Gross, setting the stage for Carney.

John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2022 In one continuous movement starting at the inner brow, use your index finger and thumb on both hands simultaneously to gently pinch along to the brow, then using your ring finger, lightly sweep inwards under the eye to the inner corner.

Felicity Carter, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2022 Inventories were low before the pandemic — estimates are Utah lacks at least 40,000 affordable dwellings or more — and those supplies have been thin enough since midsummer to pinch sales in a hot market.

The Salt Lake Tribune, 19 Nov. 2021 The Mariners put Adam Frazier in to pinch run for Winker.

Sarah Valenzuela, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2022 Using your moistened hands, pinch off and roll the ground meat into 8 balls (1 1/2 ounces each).

Joe Yonan, Washington Post, 5 June 2022

Noun

Strain and serve in a coupe glass with ice and top with a pinch of flaky sea salt.

Emily Longeretta, Variety, 7 Sep. 2022 Using a mortar and pestle, a small food processor or a blender, blend the garlic, anchovies and sugar with a pinch of salt into a paste.

Kitty Greenwald, WSJ, 2 Aug. 2022 Think Belle from Beauty and the Beast, Princess Fiona (of Shrek), and/or Smurfette…with a pinch of festival fashion.

Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 21 July 2022 Season with another generous pinch of salt and cook partially covered at a simmer until the corn is tender and the cooking liquid has reduced and thickened slightly, approximately 15 to 20 minutes.

Minerva Orduño Rincón, The Arizona Republic, 9 July 2022 Finish with a big pinch of salt, taste and adjust to your liking, and use right away.

June Kim, Bon Appétit, 30 June 2022 Drizzle tops with Extra-Virgin Olive Oil and season all over with a pinch of finishing salt.

Elizabeth Karmel, Forbes, 16 June 2022 Return to the eggplant: Combine the Italian and panko breadcrumbs in a large, shallow dish, such as a pie plate, along with a pinch each of salt and pepper, stirring until uniform.

Becky Krystal, Washington Post, 25 May 2022 In a large salad bowl, place the greens along with a pinch of salt, and toss with your fingers to combine.

Tribune News Service, cleveland, 23 May 2022 See More

Kids Definition

pinch 1 of 2

verb

ˈpinch

pinched; pinching

: to squeeze between the finger and thumb or between the jaws of an instrument

My aunt pinched my cheeks.

: to squeeze painfully

I pinched my finger in a door.

: to break off by squeezing with the thumb and fingers

Pinch off a bit of dough.

: to cause to look thin or shrunken

… I saw Dad run toward me with his face all pinched with anger.

Jack Gantos, Joey Pigza Loses Control

pinch

2 of 2

noun

: a time of emergency

He always helps out in a pinch.

: an act of squeezing skin between the thumb and fingers

: as much as may be picked up between the finger and the thumb : a very small amount

a pinch of salt

pinch 1 of 3

noun

as in grab

an instance of theft the pinch of my favorite sweater really bugged me!

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

grab
swiping
snatching
theft
heist
rip-off
mugging
holdup
burglary
stickup
break-in

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

arrest
arrestment
raid
collar
apprehension
bust
capture
seizure
restraint
entrapment
hold
imprisonment
house arrest
confinement
detention
incarceration
captivity
remand
enchainment
immurement
rearrest

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

discharge
release
liberation
emancipation

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

shortage
lack
crunch
deficiency
deficit
scarcity
drought
paucity
absence
famine
want
inadequacy
poverty
scantiness
insufficiency
undersupply
dearth
scarceness
failure
lacuna
inadequateness
drouth
necessity
need
omission
poorness
skimpiness
privation
meagerness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

plenty
abundance
amplitude
wealth
sufficiency
opulence
excess
adequacy
surplus
plenitude
copiousness
overabundance
surfeit
bountifulness
oversupply

pinch

2 of 3

verb

as in to nip

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

nip
hold
grip
clasp
crimp
clutch
tweak
take
grasp

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

drop
loosen
free
release
spring
loose

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

steal
swipe
lift
grab
pocket
nip
pilfer
snatch
filch
hook
boost
nick
rob
appropriate
purloin
rip off
snitch
thieve
sack
take
heist
misappropriate
pick
seize
run off with
knock over
walk off with
hijack
plunder
loot
make away with
make off with
poach
pillage
rifle
grasp
collar
sponge
burglarize
shoplift
kidnap
rustle
nail
spirit
mooch
carjack
abduct
highjack
shanghai

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

buy
give
purchase
contribute
present
donate
bestow
hand over

as in to grab

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

grab
seize
arrest
restrain
apprehend
nab
nick
capture
snatch
detain
nail
bust
catch
run in
pull in
collar
commit
pick up
jail
trap
hook
bind
hold
get
snare
bag
snap (up)
confine
land
grapple
imprison
jug
shackle
lock (up)
handcuff
intern
fetter
incarcerate
enchain
manacle
immure
trammel
remand
rearrest

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

discharge
loosen
loose
spring
free
release
liberate
emancipate
unbind
unchain

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

save
spare
conserve
pinch pennies
economize
scrimp
skimp
manage
scrape
preserve
maintain
husband
cut down
hoard
cut back
lay up
retrench

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

waste
blow
spend
throw away
lavish
squander
dissipate
splurge
misspend
run through
fritter (away)

pinch

3 of 3

adjective

as in substitute

Synonyms & Similar Words

substitute
extra
alternative
alternate
makeshift
different
another
second
spare
other
utility
separate
jury
improvised
new
substitutive
equivalent
successive

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

first
same
former
original
equal
permanent
identical
lasting

Synonym Chooser

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

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

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

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

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

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

Strait, now commonly straits, applies to a troublesome situation from which escape is extremely difficult.

in dire straits

单词	pinch
释义	pinch 1 of 3 verb ˈpinch pinched; pinching; pinches transitive verb 1 a : to squeeze between the finger and thumb or between the jaws of an instrument b : to prune the tip of (a plant or shoot) usually to induce branching c : to squeeze or compress painfully d : to cause physical or mental pain to e(1) : to cause to appear thin, haggard, or shrunken (2) : to cause to shrivel or wither 2 a : to subject to strict economy or want : straiten b : to restrain or limit narrowly : constrict 3 a : steal b : arrest 4 : to sail too close to the wind intransitive verb 1 : compress, squeeze 2 : to be miserly or closefisted 3 : to press painfully 4 : narrow, taper the road pinched down to a trail Cecelia Holland pinch 2 of 3 noun 1 a : a critical juncture : emergency b(1) : pressure, stress (2) : hardship, privation c : deficit 2 a : an act of pinching : squeeze b : as much as may be taken between the finger and thumb a pinch of snuff c : a very small amount 3 : a marked thinning of a vein or bed 4 a : theft b : a police raid also : arrest pinch 3 of 3 adjective 1 : substitute pinch runner 2 : hit by a pinch hitter a pinch homer Phrases pinch pennies : to practice strict economy Synonyms Verb nip Noun grab heist rip-off snatching swiping theft See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Verb My little brother is always trying to pinch me. He pinched her cheeks and told her how cute she was. Pinch together the edges of the dough. He pinched the top of his nose to stop the bleeding and leaned forward. He pinched off the top of the shoots. She pinched back the new growth. These new shoes are pinching my toes. I pinched my fingers in the door. By pinching and scraping, she managed to save enough money to buy a new car. Noun the pinch of my favorite sweater really bugged me! an innocent person caught up in a city-wide pinch of drug dealers Adjective A pinch homer won the game. See More Recent Examples on the Web Verb The Reds opted to pinch-hit for Mike Moustakas in the ninth inning Saturday with two runners on base and left-handed closer Will Smith on the mound. Bobby Nightengale, The Enquirer, 3 July 2022 There have been moments when Moore has wanted to pinch herself. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 16 July 2022 Bryan Shaw relieved Pilkington and gave up a two-run double to pinch-hitter Seth Brown that sailed over the head of Myles Straw in center. Joe Noga, cleveland, 9 June 2022 Leading 6-2, Harris went out the to finish the game for Santana, but walked two hitters and gave up an RBI double to pinch-hitter Dominic Gross, setting the stage for Carney. John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2022 In one continuous movement starting at the inner brow, use your index finger and thumb on both hands simultaneously to gently pinch along to the brow, then using your ring finger, lightly sweep inwards under the eye to the inner corner. Felicity Carter, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2022 Inventories were low before the pandemic — estimates are Utah lacks at least 40,000 affordable dwellings or more — and those supplies have been thin enough since midsummer to pinch sales in a hot market. The Salt Lake Tribune, 19 Nov. 2021 The Mariners put Adam Frazier in to pinch run for Winker. Sarah Valenzuela, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2022 Using your moistened hands, pinch off and roll the ground meat into 8 balls (1 1/2 ounces each). Joe Yonan, Washington Post, 5 June 2022 Noun Strain and serve in a coupe glass with ice and top with a pinch of flaky sea salt. Emily Longeretta, Variety, 7 Sep. 2022 Using a mortar and pestle, a small food processor or a blender, blend the garlic, anchovies and sugar with a pinch of salt into a paste. Kitty Greenwald, WSJ, 2 Aug. 2022 Think Belle from Beauty and the Beast, Princess Fiona (of Shrek), and/or Smurfette…with a pinch of festival fashion. Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 21 July 2022 Season with another generous pinch of salt and cook partially covered at a simmer until the corn is tender and the cooking liquid has reduced and thickened slightly, approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Minerva Orduño Rincón, The Arizona Republic, 9 July 2022 Finish with a big pinch of salt, taste and adjust to your liking, and use right away. June Kim, Bon Appétit, 30 June 2022 Drizzle tops with Extra-Virgin Olive Oil and season all over with a pinch of finishing salt. Elizabeth Karmel, Forbes, 16 June 2022 Return to the eggplant: Combine the Italian and panko breadcrumbs in a large, shallow dish, such as a pie plate, along with a pinch each of salt and pepper, stirring until uniform. Becky Krystal, Washington Post, 25 May 2022 In a large salad bowl, place the greens along with a pinch of salt, and toss with your fingers to combine. Tribune News Service, cleveland, 23 May 2022 See More Word History Etymology Verb Middle English, from Anglo-French pincher, pincer First Known Use Verb 14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a Noun 15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a Adjective 1912, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Phrases Containing pinch* at a pinch feel the pinch pinch bar pinch hit in a pinch pinch me pinch hitter pinch of salt pinch pennies take (something) with a grain/pinch of salt See More at a pinch feel the pinch pinch bar pinch hit in a pinch pinch me pinch hitter pinch of salt pinch pennies take (something) with a grain/pinch of salt See More Kids Definition pinch 1 of 2 verb ˈpinch pinched; pinching 1 : to squeeze between the finger and thumb or between the jaws of an instrument My aunt pinched my cheeks. 2 : to squeeze painfully I pinched my finger in a door. 3 : to break off by squeezing with the thumb and fingers Pinch off a bit of dough. 4 : to cause to look thin or shrunken … I saw Dad run toward me with his face all pinched with anger. Jack Gantos, Joey Pigza Loses Control pinch 2 of 2 noun 1 : a time of emergency He always helps out in a pinch. 2 : an act of squeezing skin between the thumb and fingers 3 : as much as may be picked up between the finger and the thumb : a very small amount a pinch of salt Medical Definition pinch transitive verb ˈpinch : to squeeze or compress (a part of the body) usually in a painful or discomforting way a pinched nerve caused by entrapment pinch 1 of 3 noun 1 as in grab an instance of theft the pinch of my favorite sweater really bugged me! Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance grab swiping snatching theft heist rip-off mugging holdup burglary stickup break-in 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 Synonyms & Similar Words arrest arrestment raid collar apprehension bust capture seizure restraint entrapment hold imprisonment house arrest confinement detention incarceration captivity remand enchainment immurement rearrest Antonyms & Near Antonyms discharge release liberation emancipation 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 Synonyms & Similar Words shortage lack crunch deficiency deficit scarcity drought paucity absence famine want inadequacy poverty scantiness insufficiency undersupply dearth scarceness failure lacuna inadequateness drouth necessity need omission poorness skimpiness privation meagerness Antonyms & Near Antonyms plenty abundance amplitude wealth sufficiency opulence excess adequacy surplus plenitude copiousness overabundance surfeit bountifulness oversupply See More pinch 2 of 3 verb 1 as in to nip to squeeze tightly between two surfaces, edges, or points the zipper on those jeans always pinches me Synonyms & Similar Words nip hold grip clasp crimp clutch tweak take grasp Antonyms & Near Antonyms drop loosen free release spring loose 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 Synonyms & Similar Words steal swipe lift grab pocket nip pilfer snatch filch hook boost nick rob appropriate purloin rip off snitch thieve sack take heist misappropriate pick seize run off with knock over walk off with hijack plunder loot make away with make off with poach pillage rifle grasp collar sponge burglarize shoplift kidnap rustle nail spirit mooch carjack abduct highjack shanghai Antonyms & Near Antonyms buy give purchase contribute present donate bestow hand over See More 3 as in to grab 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 grab seize arrest restrain apprehend nab nick capture snatch detain nail bust catch run in pull in collar commit pick up jail trap hook bind hold get snare bag snap (up) confine land grapple imprison jug shackle lock (up) handcuff intern fetter incarcerate enchain manacle immure trammel remand rearrest Antonyms & Near Antonyms discharge loosen loose spring free release liberate emancipate unbind unchain See More 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 save spare conserve pinch pennies economize scrimp skimp manage scrape preserve maintain husband cut down hoard cut back lay up retrench Antonyms & Near Antonyms waste blow spend throw away lavish squander dissipate splurge misspend run through fritter (away) See More pinch 3 of 3 adjective as in substitute Synonyms & Similar Words substitute extra alternative alternate makeshift different another second spare other utility separate jury improvised new substitutive equivalent successive Antonyms & Near Antonyms first same former original equal permanent identical lasting See More Synonym Chooser 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 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 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 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 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 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 Strait, now commonly straits, applies to a troublesome situation from which escape is extremely difficult. in dire straits Phrases Containing pinch pinch hitter pinch pennies pinch hitter pinch pennies
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pinch

verb

noun

adjective

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing pinch

Kids Definition

verb

noun

Medical Definition

transitive verb

noun

verb

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Phrases Containing pinch