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
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
This 2019 retread attempts to squeeze that same emotional response out of viewers, simply by recreating every frame through photorealistic CGI. Staff Author, EW.com, 22 Mar. 2025 But skyrocketing home prices and stubbornly high mortgage rates in the past few years have squeezed many buyers to the sidelines of the market, raising concerns that this year will see a nationwide drop in sales even during the spring homebuying season. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
Noun
Serve the dish hot with a generous squeeze of lemon. Danielle Dorsey, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2025 Beyond the financial squeeze, food choices reflect something deeper—what people crave, what feels comforting, and what still feels like a splurge even when budgets are tight. Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for squeeze

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Squeeze.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/squeeze. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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