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Squeeze Very Common

Squeeze has 19 different meanings across 2 categories:

Noun · Verb

Definitions
Noun
1

the act of gripping and pressing firmly

"he gave her cheek a playful squeeze"

2

a state in which there is a short supply of cash to lend to businesses and consumers and interest rates are high

"The recent credit squeeze has made it difficult for small startups to secure loans as banks raise their interest rates."

3

a situation in which increased costs cannot be passed on to the customer

"increased expenses put a squeeze on profits"

4

(slang) a person's girlfriend or boyfriend

"she was his main squeeze"

5

a twisting squeeze

"gave the wet cloth a wring"

6

an aggressive attempt to compel acquiescence by the concentration or manipulation of power

"she laughed at this sexual power play and walked away"

7

a tight or amorous embrace

"come here and give me a big hug"

8

the act of forcing yourself (or being forced) into or through a restricted space

"getting through that small opening was a tight squeeze"

9

A close or tight fit.

"The new sofa offers a comfortable squeeze in our small living room corner."

Verb
1

to compress with violence, out of natural shape or condition

"crush an aluminum can"

"squeeze a lemon"

2

press firmly

"He squeezed my hand"

3

squeeze like a wedge into a tight space

"I squeezed myself into the corner"

4

to cause to do through pressure or necessity, by physical, moral or intellectual means

"She forced him to take a job in the city"

"He squeezed her for information"

5

obtain by coercion or intimidation

"They extorted money from the executive by threatening to reveal his past to the company boss"

"They squeezed money from the owner of the business by threatening him"

6

press or force

"Stuff money into an envelope"

"She thrust the letter into his hand"

7

squeeze tightly between the fingers

"He pinched her behind"

"She squeezed the bottle"

8

hold (someone) tightly in your arms, usually with fondness

"Hug me, please"

"They embraced"

"He hugged her close to him"

9

squeeze or press together

"she compressed her lips"

"the spasm contracted the muscle"

10

To apply pressure to from two or more sides at once.

"The tight doorway squeezed his shoulders and head as he tried to walk through it."

In plain English: To squeeze something means to press it hard with your hands so that it gets smaller or changes shape.

"She squeezed her fist tightly after hearing the bad news."

Usage: Use squeeze when applying firm, simultaneous pressure with your hands or another object against something soft like fruit or dough. Avoid using it interchangeably with press unless the action specifically involves compressing an item between opposing forces rather than pushing down on a single surface.

Example Sentences
"She squeezed her fist tightly after hearing the bad news." verb
"She squeezed the lemon to add fresh juice to her tea." verb
"Please squeeze into the car before it gets too crowded outside." verb
"He managed to squeeze a quick nap in between his meetings." verb
See Also
choke chain shingling handwringer squeezy smush thrusting bribe middleman
Related Terms
Broader Terms (hypernyms)
compression financial condition loss lover movement attempt embrace constriction press move compel overcharge push grip clasp tighten
Narrower Terms (hyponyms)
pinch expression extrusion wring stamp steamroller tread telescope clench impact compress turn up the heat drive bludgeon squeeze for dragoon terrorize bring oneself bleed goose tweak clinch cuddle interlock choke prim astringe strangulate convulse bear down

Origin

The word "squeeze" likely emerged around 1600 as a variation of the older term "quease," which originally meant to crush or press. While its ultimate roots remain uncertain, it may be an imitative sound related to similar words in Swedish and German that describe crushing or bruising.

Rhyming Words
eze zeze meze feeze neeze jeeze geeze heeze skeeze frieze tweeze greeze freeze bleeze wheeze sneeze breeze febreze trapeze ableeze
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