squeeze

1 of 2

verb

squeezed; squeezing

transitive verb

1
a
: to exert pressure especially on opposite sides of : compress
b
: to extract or emit under pressure
c
: to force or thrust by compression
2
a(1)
: to get by extortion
(2)
: to deprive by extortion
b
: to cause economic hardship to
c
: to reduce the amount of
squeezes profits
3
: to crowd into a limited area
4
: to gain or win by a narrow margin
5
: to force (another player) to discard in bridge so as to unguard a suit
6
: to score by means of a squeeze play

intransitive verb

1
: to give way before pressure
2
: to exert pressure
also : to practice extortion or oppression
3
: to force one's way
squeeze through a door
4
: to pass, win, or get by narrowly
squeezability noun
squeezable adjective
squeezer noun

squeeze

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: an act or instance of squeezing : compression
b
: handclasp
also : embrace
2
a
: a quantity squeezed out from something
a squeeze of lemon
b
: a group crowded together : crowd
3
: a profit taken by a middleman on goods or transactions
4
: a financial pressure caused by narrowing margins or by shortages
5
: a forced discard in bridge
6
7
slang : a romantic partner
she's my main squeeze

Examples of squeeze in a Sentence

Verb He lightly squeezed her hand and smiled. Gently squeeze the fruit to see if it's ripe. Hold it securely but don't squeeze too hard. He squeezed the juice from the orange. Noun Fifty guests will be a bit of a squeeze. It'll be a tight squeeze, but we can all fit.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
The other is that Proposition 1 was squeezed from both ends of the political spectrum. Laurel Rosenhall, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024 During that time slice half a tart Granny Smith apple and squeeze lemon juice over the slices to keep them from turning brown. Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2024 The airlines are using powerful AIs and algorithms to squeeze more money from you. Christopher Elliott, King Features Syndicate, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2024 The Premier League’s premier provider was able to pick out his teammate with a low cross from the corner and Stones evaded his defender to squeeze the ball into the Liverpool net. Thomas Schlachter, CNN, 10 Mar. 2024 How to clean blinds and plantation shutters easily Supplies: Kitchen tongs 2 sponges Rubber bands Instructions: Wet sponges and squeeze excess water out of each sponge before attaching them to tongs. Maryal Miller Carter, USA TODAY, 10 Mar. 2024 The same wealth inequality that plagues American society can be seen in Hollywood, where the big get richer and the middle class is routinely squeezed or forgotten entirely. Ann Hornaday, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 Across the copious amounts of dialogue squeezed into a 90-minute run time, the audience races to examine everyone’s unique understanding of the matter. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 Mar. 2024 Redlining and housing discrimination squeezed Blacks into an area between Holton Street to 27th Street, east to west, and Juneau Avenue to Capitol Drive, north to south. Journal Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2024
Noun
These are just a few examples of the severe cash squeeze facing medical care providers — from large hospital networks to the smallest of clinics — in the aftermath of a cyberattack two weeks ago that paralyzed the largest U.S. billing and payment system in the country. Julie Creswell, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024 The Giving Pies, a fixture in San Jose’s Willow Glen district, has become a small-business David going up against a corporate Goliath that now appears to have shifted gears into full mea culpa mode after the tech titan’s order cancellation that left the local merchant in a financial squeeze. George Avalos, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2024 In fetal surgery, the slightest squeeze or tilt of a scalpel can be the difference between life and death. Megan Molteni, STAT, 21 Feb. 2024 After several squeezes, the egg will be empty and ready to return to the safety of the carton. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2024 The next night the gang heads back to Tantra and MI-VI for more fist pumping, but Snooki and JWoww stay behind to disinfect the Smash Room in preparation for Snooki’s night in with her new squeeze Dennis. Miami Staff, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024 How to pick the right leaves The trick is to gently toss and massage the leaves with a pinch of salt and maybe a little acid (a squeeze of lemon juice or splash of mild vinegar) before adding your dressing of choice. Adrienne Cheatham, CNN, 3 Mar. 2024 Typically eaten for breakfast (Saigon Oi opens at 9 a.m. daily), it’s served with an airy baguette that delivers an ASMR-worthy crunch with a gentle squeeze. Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 29 Feb. 2024 With the ability to respond to kids' touches and squeezes, there are seemingly endless features to discover. Christine Luff, Parents, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'squeeze.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

alteration of obsolete English quease, from Middle English queysen, from Old English cwȳsan; akin to Icelandic kveisa stomach cramps

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1601, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of squeeze was circa 1601

Dictionary Entries Near squeeze

Cite this Entry

“Squeeze.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/squeeze. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

squeeze

1 of 2 verb
squeezed; squeezing
1
a
: to press together from the opposite sides of : compress
squeeze wet clay into a ball
b
: to get by squeezing
squeeze juice from a lemon
c
: to force or thrust by compression : crowd
squeezed into the car
2
a
: to force (as by threats) money, goods, or services from
squeezed their tenants mercilessly
b
: to reduce the amount of
rising costs squeezed profits
3
: to gain or win by a narrow margin
squeezer noun

squeeze

2 of 2 noun
1
: an act or instance of squeezing
2
: financial pressure
put the squeeze on someone
3
slang : a romantic partner
she's my main squeeze

More from Merriam-Webster on squeeze

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