Meaning & use
press together
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Meanings
verbtransitive or intransitive
To push two or more things firmly against each other so they touch or join.
Grammar: Can take an object (press the edges together) or stand alone with a plural subject (the edges pressed together).
Patterns
- press something together
- press something and something together
- press together
Press the two pieces of clay together until they stick.
She pressed her hands together and waited for the answer.
Hold the paper flat and press the edges together with your thumb.
verbtransitive
To hold your lips, hands, or knees tightly closed or touching as a sign of emotion or control.
Grammar: Usually takes a body-part object: press your lips together.
Patterns
- press your lips together
- press your hands together
- press your knees together
He pressed his lips together so he would not laugh.
The child pressed her knees together and sat very still.
She pressed her hands together in her lap and listened.
verbtransitive
To push a button or switch down with your finger so that it makes contact and works.
Grammar: Takes an object; often used for doorbells and small controls.
Patterns
- press something together
- press the two buttons together
Press the two buttons together to start the machine.
To lock the door, press the two parts of the switch together.
Word forms
| third person singular | presses together |
|---|---|
| past tense | pressed together |
| past participle | pressed together |
| -ing form | pressing together |
Common combinations
- press your lips together
- She pressed her lips together and said nothing.
- press your hands together
- He pressed his hands together as if in prayer.
- press the edges together
- Press the edges together to seal the envelope.
- press the pieces together
- Press the pieces together while the glue is still wet.
- press the two halves together
- Press the two halves together until you hear a click.
Synonyms and how they differ
- squeeze together
- Suggests more force and a tighter grip than press together, which is gentler and more controlled.
- push together
- Focuses on moving things toward each other rather than on the firm contact that press together implies.
- clamp together
- Means holding things tightly with a tool or device, not with your hands.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: press together or press up?
press together vs press up
Press up is a British exercise (a push-up), while press together means to push things into contact.
Practice
Choose the best sentence.
Choose one answer.
"Press your lips together" is the natural pattern for controlling emotion. The other options add prepositions that do not fit this meaning.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “press together”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.