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 the same time, shootings plunged 48%, robberies 35% and car thefts 20% — and those levels have generally improved or held this year.

— Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Fortune reported on the tactic a decade ago, when fraud accounted for roughly one in 10 cargo thefts, and food was the most attractive target, since it can be resold through unscrupulous distributors with no serial numbers to trace.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of thefts

Noun

The league could perhaps benefit from such messaging in its stadiums and on its helmets because DUI arrests or other traffic incidents involving NFL people are not uncommon.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
There’s no indication that any report from Loomer had a connection to his arrest, which came at a time when ICE arrests have been happening more frequently at US airports.

— Eduardo Cuevas, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of arrests

Noun

Long used in commercial kitchens for sinks and countertops, steel sinks contain chromium that provides corrosion-resistance and nickel that adds the brightness pure steel lacks.

— Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 19 July 2026
The Anaheim Ducks, at least, had a lot of pace and tempo to help make up for what Carlson’s skating lacks at this point in his career.

— Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 2 July 2026

Definition of lacks

Verb

Two more advisers, each of whom holds the president’s trust, are also leaving the White House within weeks.

— Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Even if El Niño’s temperature swings stayed exactly the same magnitude, its floods and droughts would still get worse in a warmer world because the hotter atmosphere holds more water vapor.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of holds

Verb

Jealousy and entitlement steer the actions of middling white writer June Hayward, who brazenly steals the manuscript of her much more talented friend, Chinese-American author, Athena Liu, after being the sole witness to Athena’s death.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026
And, if the wins keep piling up, San Dimas might need to put a fence around his classroom so no one steals him away.

— Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of steals

Verb

The system saves checkpoints during training so developers can compare different versions instead of automatically selecting the final model.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
That gives students a better understanding of how a shop works in practice and also saves the school district thousands of dollars.

— Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of saves

Noun

Everyone in the house gets involved in the election, phone banking and going after the 80 or so votes still up for grabs.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026
But at the April municipal election, both Fears’ and McCandless’ seats were up for grabs -- and Independence voters chose to remove both from the dais.

— Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026