shoehorn

Definition of shoehornnext
as in to cram
to fit (people or things) into a tight space the organizers of the county fair shoehorned the craft booths between the midway and the farm exhibits

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 shoehorn Too often, modern technologies, like inter-device connectivity and artificial intelligence, are shoehorned into gadgets that would be more intuitive to use, affordable, accessible, and/or durable without them. ArsTechnica, 18 May 2026 In the meantime, without a spot to shoehorn in a Starliner docking, NASA nailed down its plans for cargo and crew missions for the remainder of 2026. Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 May 2026 The easiest thing to do would have been to shoehorn one player into Arvidsson’s spot next to Pavel Zacha and Casey Mittelstadt. Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 29 Apr. 2026 Do me a favor, call up that agent that was foolish enough to shoehorn you into this business and this show and tell him to lower the ticket prices. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shoehorn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shoehorn
Verb
  • Still, every spare inch is crammed with more than 32 different kinds of orchids imported from around the world, including such beauties as the flame-like Epidendrum radicans and the rare Dimorphorchis lowii.
    Leigh-Ann Jackson, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Aliens land in Johannesburg in 1982 seeking refuge, but instead they're crammed into an internment camp called District 9.
    Grace Dean, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The Middle East war and the resulting shipping disruption through the Strait of Hormuz drove up global commodity costs, further squeezing Beijing's own appetite for commodity imports.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Independent designers, once a discovery engine, were being squeezed, while the biggest brands put more investment into their own stores, creating a dichotomy in experiences that Bron felt was palpable.
    Hilary Milnes, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The O’Connell clan’s reach extended far beyond a little bribery and ballot stuffing.
    Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Reviews do note that, due to the cushion stuffing being so full, a quick fluffing may be required after sitting for long periods of time, just to get the fill back to normal.
    Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 1 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Shoehorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shoehorn. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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