squeezed; squeezing
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
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
1
a
: an act or instance of squeezing : compression
2
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
Synonyms
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
Shawn Tully, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2024
That’s one way to squeeze some more juice out of the thing, right?
—Chris Welch, The Verge, 7 Aug. 2024
Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 20 July 2024
If West has the king of clubs, he may be threatened with a squeeze, but Cy can and should break it up by leading a diamond at the fourth trick.
—Frank Stewart, The Mercury News, 9 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for squeeze 
Verb
Besides, a defeat for the old sultan could give Moscow control over, or the power to threaten, the Strait of Hormuz off Oman’s northern coast, potentially squeezing the flow of oil that was the lifeblood of the U.K.’s economic life and indeed crucial to economics across Europe.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2024
That’s one way to squeeze some more juice out of the thing, right?
—Chris Welch, The Verge, 7 Aug. 2024
Noun
Add ranch or everything bagel seasoning for a flavorful kick, or serve simply with a squeeze of fresh lemon.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 20 July 2024
If West has the king of clubs, he may be threatened with a squeeze, but Cy can and should break it up by leading a diamond at the fourth trick.
—Frank Stewart, The Mercury News, 9 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for squeeze
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.
Dictionary Entries Near squeeze
Cite this Entry
“Squeeze.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/squeeze. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
squeeze
1 of 2 verb
squeezed; squeezing
1
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 noun1
: an act or instance of squeezing
2
: financial pressure
put the squeeze on someone
3
slang
: a romantic partner
she's my main squeeze
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