squeeze meaning

UK /skwiːz/ US /skwiz/ 1 syllable

squeeze (verb): to compress with violence, out of natural shape or condition.

squeeze has 17 meanings in this dictionary, as verb and noun.

squeeze as a verb

  1. to compress with violence, out of natural shape or condition
    • crush an aluminum can
    • squeeze a lemon

    Synonyms: squash, crush, squelch, mash

    Type of: press

    Kinds: wring, stamp, steamroller, tread, telescope

    Related forms: squeezer

  2. press firmly
    • He squeezed my hand

    Type of: press

    Kinds: clench

    Related forms: squeezing

  3. squeeze like a wedge into a tight space
    • I squeezed myself into the corner

    Synonyms: wedge, force

    Type of: move

    Kinds: impact, compress

  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

    Synonyms: coerce, hale, pressure, force

    Type of: compel

    Kinds: turn up the heat, drive, bludgeon, steamroller, squeeze for, dragoon, terrorize, bring oneself

  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

    Synonyms: extort, rack, gouge, wring

    Type of: overcharge

    Kinds: bleed

  6. press or force
    • Stuff money into an envelope
    • She thrust the letter into his hand

    Synonyms: thrust, stuff, shove

    Type of: push

  7. squeeze tightly between the fingers
    • He pinched her behind
    • She squeezed the bottle

    Synonyms: pinch, twinge, tweet, nip, twitch

    Type of: grip

    Kinds: goose, tweak

  8. hold (someone) tightly in your arms, usually with fondness
    • Hug me, please
    • They embraced
    • He hugged her close to him

    Synonyms: embrace, hug, bosom

    Type of: clasp

    Kinds: clinch, cuddle, interlock

  9. squeeze or press together
    • she compressed her lips
    • the spasm contracted the muscle

    Synonyms: compress, constrict, compact, contract, press

    Type of: tighten

    Kinds: choke, prim, astringe, strangulate, convulse, bear down

squeeze as a noun

  1. the act of gripping and pressing firmly
    • he gave her cheek a playful squeeze

    Synonyms: squeezing

    Type of: compression

    Kinds: pinch, expression, extrusion

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

    Synonyms: credit crunch, liquidity crisis

    Type of: financial condition

  3. a situation in which increased costs cannot be passed on to the customer
    • increased expenses put a squeeze on profits

    Type of: loss

  4. (slang) a person's girlfriend or boyfriend
    • she was his main squeeze

    Type of: lover

  5. a twisting squeeze
    • gave the wet cloth a wring

    Synonyms: wring

    Type of: movement

  6. an aggressive attempt to compel acquiescence by the concentration or manipulation of power
    • she laughed at this sexual power play and walked away

    Synonyms: power play, squeeze play

    Type of: attempt

  7. a tight or amorous embrace
    • come here and give me a big hug

    Synonyms: hug, clinch

    Type of: embrace

  8. the act of forcing yourself (or being forced) into or through a restricted space
    • getting through that small opening was a tight squeeze

    Type of: constriction

How to pronounce squeeze

squeeze is pronounced /skwiːz/ in British English and /skwiz/ in American English. It has 1 syllable.

Words that rhyme with squeeze

Scrabble score: 25 (letter breakdown)

Word lists: words starting with SQ · words ending in ZE · 7-letter words

More about squeeze on Wikipedia.