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

The thwarted robbery is the latest in a string of thefts targeting museums across Europe, most notably the high-profile heist at the Louvre in October 2025.

— Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
This study gives us a reason, beyond the assertions of law enforcement leaders, to believe the Flock system deserves some credit for San Francisco's drop in car thefts.

— Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of thefts

Noun

Police had found a large quantity of gasoline inside three of the five vans seized during last Sunday’s arrests.

— Carter Schroppe, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026
Since last year, on the President’s orders, the department has pursued some sixteen hundred voter-fraud cases, only a hundred and sixty of which even led to arrests.

— Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of arrests

Noun

Tasked with shepherding his major stars through bombastic performances, Fern’s directing lacks focus.

— Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 2026
While Verse and Alex Wright will man the edges and Denzel Ward remains an elite anchor in the secondary, the front seven lacks proven game-disrupting star power, leaving the defense reliant on scheme and discipline to hold up.

— David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of lacks

Verb

The bar makes a perfectly balanced drink, and brunch holds its own with plenty of light and rib-sticking options alike (the steak and eggs were my favorite) and strong locally roasted coffee (both pour-over and espresso options).

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Brazil’s attorney general last week accused the US of undermining Brazilian democracy — a central theme for incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who holds a razor-thin polling lead over Flávio Bolsonaro.

— Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of holds

Verb

If malware steals an active login session, an attacker may be able to access an account without typing your password again.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
And Michael Rishawn almost steals the show with his delicious comic turn as the restaurant host, as well as other ancillary characters.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of steals

Verb

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
Wilson, meanwhile, seizes on the opening to play teacher’s pet.

— David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 13 Sep. 2026

Definition of seizes

Noun

From Emma Stone in Louis Vuitton to Rosalía in Erdem, spring 2027 designs are up for grabs among the stars.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026
All 21 board seats are up for grabs, and though most members are running to keep their seats, the races are expected to be hotly contested.

— Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026