squeeze

1 of 2

verb

ˈskwēz 

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

ˌskwē-zə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

squeezable

ˈskwē-zə-bəl 

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

: squeeze play

7

slang : a romantic partner

she's my main squeeze

Synonyms

Verb

• crush
• express
• mash
• press

Noun

• compacting
• compaction
• compression
• condensation
• condensing
• constricting
• constriction
• contracting
• contraction
• squeezing
• telescoping

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 investigation reveals a dismal picture of a company with a sales culture that depends on squeezing infirm and elderly patients and the government for every penny. —Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 13 Nov. 2024

Often the rookie spends several minutes adjusting their chair, finding the right eye relief, and remembering their shooting form before ever squeezing the trigger for that first dry fire. —Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 13 Nov. 2024

Noun

From the financial squeeze of inflation, to recall after recall, and actually getting out the door, going to the grocery store can sometimes feel like an insurmountable task. —Jonquilyn Hill, Vox, 5 Nov. 2024

Tips for the Best Rotisserie Chicken Soup Add lemon: Our Test Kitchen Professionals recommend adding a squeeze of lemon at the end, which can help to enliven the flavor, especially if eating it after being frozen. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 4 Nov. 2024

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

Phrases Containing squeeze

• feeling the squeeze
• main squeeze
• putting the squeeze on
• squeeze bottle
• squeeze in
• squeeze off
• squeeze one's eyes shut
• squeeze out
• squeeze play
• squeeze up
• suicide squeeze
• the squeeze
• tight squeeze

Kids Definition

squeeze

1 of 2 verb

ˈskwēz 

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