squeaker
noun
squeak·er ˈskwē-kər 
1
: one that squeaks
2
: a contest (such as a game or an election) won by a small margin
Example Sentences
They won in a 10–9 squeaker.
Recent Examples on the Web In 2018, Democrat T.J. Cox had the distinction of winning the closest congressional race in the country, an 862-vote squeaker over Republican incumbent David Valadao. 
Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2022 Not only does the tumbling tennis ball inside make for hours of fun interactive play, but the squeaker is great for encouraging their prey instincts. Lindsey Murray, Good Housekeeping, 16 Aug. 2022 In Minnesota, the biggest surprise of the night was the squeaker primary win by Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar, who eked out a razor-thin margin of less than 3,000 votes against a centrist pro-cop challenger. Amy Nakamura, USA TODAY, 10 Aug. 2022 What had been forecast as a comfortable victory for Joe Biden ended up a squeaker in the Electoral College, with Biden prevailing by superthin margins in crucial swing states where polls had exaggerated his advantage. Wired, 16 July 2022 The float also offers toys babies can touch and activate, including a squeaker, rattle, stacking rings, giant octopus, and a soft star. Kathleen Willcox, Popular Mechanics, 19 May 2022 After that loss, and a squeaker for Democrats in a New Jersey governor's race animated by many of the same issues, the landscape changed. Mary Katharine Ham, CNN, 12 May 2022 North Carolina State edges back up to No. 3, while Louisville slips to fourth after dropping a one-point road squeaker at No. 18 North Carolina earlier in the week. Eddie Timanus, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2022 Cornell has won the past two meetings, including a 17-16 squeaker on March 1, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. Edward Lee, baltimoresun.com, 4 Mar. 2022 See More
Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2022 Not only does the tumbling tennis ball inside make for hours of fun interactive play, but the squeaker is great for encouraging their prey instincts. Lindsey Murray, Good Housekeeping, 16 Aug. 2022 In Minnesota, the biggest surprise of the night was the squeaker primary win by Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar, who eked out a razor-thin margin of less than 3,000 votes against a centrist pro-cop challenger. Amy Nakamura, USA TODAY, 10 Aug. 2022 What had been forecast as a comfortable victory for Joe Biden ended up a squeaker in the Electoral College, with Biden prevailing by superthin margins in crucial swing states where polls had exaggerated his advantage. Wired, 16 July 2022 The float also offers toys babies can touch and activate, including a squeaker, rattle, stacking rings, giant octopus, and a soft star. Kathleen Willcox, Popular Mechanics, 19 May 2022 After that loss, and a squeaker for Democrats in a New Jersey governor's race animated by many of the same issues, the landscape changed. Mary Katharine Ham, CNN, 12 May 2022 North Carolina State edges back up to No. 3, while Louisville slips to fourth after dropping a one-point road squeaker at No. 18 North Carolina earlier in the week. Eddie Timanus, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2022 Cornell has won the past two meetings, including a 17-16 squeaker on March 1, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. Edward Lee, baltimoresun.com, 4 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1641, in the meaning defined at sense 1
squeaker
noun
1
as in nail-biter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- nail-biter
- thriller
- suspenser
- cliff-hanger
- photo finish
- hair-raiser
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- yawner
- blowout
2
as in close call
Synonyms & Similar Words
- close call
- near miss
- close shave
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- misfire
3
as in landslide
Synonyms & Similar Words
- landslide
- victory
- blowout
- win
- romp
- laugher
- sweep
- runaway
- walkover
- capture
- palm
- conquest
- triumph
- subjugation
- walkaway
- vanquishing
- shutout
- takeover
- success
- mastery
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- defeat
- loss
- rout
- beating
- whipping
- trimming
- licking
- upset
- overthrow
- drubbing
- shellacking
- collapse
- disaster
- failure
- flop
- washout
- debacle
- slip
- slump
- setback
- decline
- fizzle
- débâcle
- nonsuccess
- lurch
- wane
- intermediate goods
- intermediate host
- intermediate school
- intermediate stock
- intermediate tissue
- intermediate vector boson
- intermediate wheatgrass
- intermediate wheel
- intermediated
- intermediately
- intermediateness
- intermediatenesses
- intermediates
- intermediating
- intermediation
- intermediations
- intermediator
- intermediators
- intermediatory
- intermedii
- intermedin
- intermedins
- intermedio-
- intermediums
- intermell