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pinch
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- pronunciation:
- pInch
- parts of speech:
- transitive verb, intransitive verb, noun
- phrases:
- pinch pennies
- features:
- Word Combinations (verb, noun), Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| inflections: |
pinches, pinching, pinched |
| definition 1: |
to press forcefully between two surfaces, such as the fingers, parts of a tool, or the like.
He pinched my cheek.- synonyms:
- compress, squeeze
- similar words:
- constrict, nip, tighten, tweak, wring
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| definition 2: |
to perform such an action on (someone).
He was pretending to be asleep so she pinched him.- synonyms:
- nip
- similar words:
- tweak
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| definition 3: |
to restrict (a body part) tightly and painfully.
This helmet pinches my ears.- synonyms:
- restrict
- similar words:
- constrict, cramp, squeeze
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| definition 4: |
to place a tight constraint on; restrict; constrict.
My budget has been pinched by the high cost of living.- synonyms:
- constrain, constrict, cramp, limit, restrain, restrict
- similar words:
- tighten
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| definition 5: |
to cause to be distressed, pale, or withered.
The winds pinched her ears.His face was pinched by mourning.The flowers were pinched by wintry weather.- similar words:
- discomfort, distress
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| definition 6: |
(informal) to take into police custody; arrest.
He thought he got away with it, but the cops pinched him the next day.- synonyms:
- apprehend, arrest, bust, collar, nab
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| definition 7: |
(informal) to steal (usu. something small in size).
Somebody pinched my tickets. |
| related words: |
apprehend, arrest, bite, capture, nip, pluck, seize, twinge |
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| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| definition: |
to cause pain or discomfort, esp. by restriction or forceful pressing.
My gloves pinch.Poverty pinches.- similar words:
- constrict, cramp, squeeze
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| related words: |
ache |
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| phrase: |
pinch pennies |
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| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition 1: |
the action or an instance of pinching.
- synonyms:
- constriction
- similar words:
- nip, squeeze, tweak
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| definition 2: |
a small quantity, esp. that which can be picked up between the thumb and finger.
a pinch of salt- synonyms:
- bit, drop, smidgen, soupçon, trace
- similar words:
- dab, dash, speck
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| definition 3: |
an instance or condition of extreme need or emergency.
He helped me out in a pinch.- synonyms:
- emergency, need, urgency
- similar words:
- adversity, clutch, crunch, extremity, hardship, pressure, push, spot, stress
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| related words: |
case, catch, crisis, crumb, dilemma, drop, hole, modicum, morsel, necessity, need, pang, plight, poverty, privation, tang, touch, tuck |
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