Meaning & use

squeeze

verb·Everyday

To press something firmly, especially from opposite sides, in order to extract, compress, or grip it.

See it in a sentence

She squeezed the orange to extract every last drop of juice.

He squeezed her hand gently to reassure her before the surgery.

A note on using this word

Also used figuratively for financial pressure, as in a squeeze on household budgets, or for fitting into a tight space.

Words with a similar meaning

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Words with an opposite meaning

Another way to use it

2. noun

A situation in which resources, such as money or time, become tight or restricted.

Rising rent put a real squeeze on the family's monthly budget.

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