PINCHES Synonyms: 198 Similar and Opposite Words

pinches 1 of 2

noun

plural of pinch

as in thefts

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

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Relevance

as in arrests

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

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as in lacks

a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number this labor pinch means that there'll be long lines at the checkouts

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pinches

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of pinch

as in holds

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

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as in steals

to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep pinched the earrings while the boutique owner was distracted by another customer

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as in seizes

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

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as in saves

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

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.

Recent Examples of pinches

Verb

There will be a moment in the frenzy at the Estadio Azteca, probably as the teams take to the field or the first ball is kicked in anger, when Darren Thompson pinches himself to be witnessing all this first-hand. — Rob Tanner, New York Times, 5 July 2026 Dad pinches my cheek between his first two fingers with a soppy look in his eyes. — Literary Hub, 24 Nov. 2025 There’s the moment Stanton’s Håkon Werle pinches the back of his son’s neck, like a cruel master bringing his dog to heel. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Sep. 2025 For Spraggins’ colleague, Josie Wheeler — who still sometimes pinches herself at going from bartending to meetings with nuclear power plant operators — Accenture is a lifetime commitment. — Andy Tonsing, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025 This pinches the space between them so only the high-k dielectric completely surrounds them. — IEEE Spectrum, 14 Dec. 2017

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pinches

Noun

In an area of the Mojave Desert, cargo thefts are a pervasive problem, with thieves boarding slow-moving freight trains to steal high-value merchandise, sometimes slashing an air brake hose to bring the railcars to an emergency stop.

— Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
Chicago police issued an alert on Wednesday about a string of thefts involving people posing as charity fundraisers.

— Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of thefts

Noun

Revell said that no arrests had yet been made, nor anyone taken into custody, but that police believed one shooter was involved.

— Samantha Cookinham, NBC news, 25 Oct. 2026
From mass arrests in France to troop deployments in Italy, European leaders are taking varied approaches to protests and clashes across the continent.

— Amanda Macias, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of arrests

Verb

There is a build up of dust on the chain that holds the cup dispenser suspended above the ice cream station.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
One other consideration was the Dream’s primary home, Gateway Center Arena in College Park, which holds about 3,500.

— Rod Beard, AJC.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of holds

Verb

Professor Frink reanimates his formerly deceased father after winning the Nobel Prize, but the elder Frink, not content with his current body, steals parts and organs from other humans.

— Joshua Kurp, Vulture, 26 Oct. 2026
The central spiral staircase in the common area, with its ultra-plush carpeting, steals the show.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of steals

Verb

Sid is smart enough to sniff this out, and the show seizes the opportunity to raise the romantic stakes through an adorably British expression of mutual libidinousness.

— Scott Tobias, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026
That reporting revealed that the state frequently seizes money from legal settlements stemming from medical malpractice, police brutality, workplace injury and other wrongful death lawsuits.

— Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of seizes

Verb

Anything that saves a little extra time during the holidays gets five stars from us.

— Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Oct. 2026
This level of financial clarity also saves attorneys’ time and fees because the hard conversations have been had in advance.

— Catherine Shanahan, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of saves

Noun

The franchise man continues to build a strong rapport with his receivers, finishing 23-of-41 for 276 yards with a touchdown pass to Matthew Golden, who led the game with 104 yards on six grabs.

— Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
The five seats up for grabs on the Fulton Commission include the northern District 1 spot, where incumbent Republican Bridget Thorne is embroiled in a rematch with Democrat Maggie Goldman.

— Reed Williams, AJC.com, 17 Oct. 2026