squeeze play

noun

Synonyms of squeeze playnext
1
: a baseball play in which a runner on third base starts for home plate as the ball is being pitched and the batter attempts to bunt to give the runner a chance to score
2
: the exertion of pressure in order to extort a concession or gain a goal

Examples of squeeze play in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
But leadoff hitter Austin Martin failed to get down a bunt on a safety squeeze play. — John Shipley, Twin Cities, 15 Aug. 2025 Financial discussions will definitely present a squeeze play for you today. — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 6 May 2026 San Francisco executed a squeeze play — Brett Wisely bunting, Ramos scoring. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 7 May 2025 Then, Jayden Murphy loaded the bases with a hit by pitch, while trying a squeeze play to bring home Anthony Prisco, who pinch-ran for Kilpatrick. — Zach McMahon, Boston Herald, 9 June 2026 Then came a botched squeeze play and fly out, allowing Harvard-Westlake (6-1) to escape with a 5-4 win in a Mission League opener. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026 Little Margin for Error Image Near the end of his shift, the controller handling both helicopters and commercial jets tried to pull off a complicated, and potentially risky, maneuver called a squeeze play. — Kate Kelly, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025 Fermin’s sixth-inning bunt on the safety squeeze play that scored Laureano was his fourth sacrifice hit with the Padres, which is tied for third on the team behind Luis Arraez (10) and Martin Maldonado (six). — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of squeeze play was in 1905

Rhymes for squeeze play

See All Rhymes for squeeze play

Browse Nearby Words

squeeze out
squeeze play
squeezer
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Cite this Entry

“Squeeze play.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/squeeze%20play. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on squeeze play

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for squeeze play

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about squeeze play

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