Meaning & use
squeezing
Last updated
“squeezing” is a form of “squeeze”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive
Pressing something firmly from the sides, often to change its shape or force liquid out.
Grammar: Takes an object: squeezing a lemon.
Patterns
- squeeze something out of something
- squeeze something between something
She is squeezing oranges for fresh juice.
He kept squeezing the stress ball during the long meeting.
The nurse was squeezing the patient's hand to comfort her.
verbtransitive or intransitive
Forcing a person or thing into or through a tight space, or fitting something into a busy schedule.
Grammar: With an object: squeezing a suitcase into the trunk; without: squeezing through the gap.
Patterns
- squeeze into something
- squeeze through something
- squeeze something in
We were squeezing through the crowd to reach the front.
She is squeezing three meetings into one afternoon.
Four of us are squeezing into a car built for two.
verbtransitivefigurative
Putting heavy financial pressure on someone or something, for example by cutting income or raising costs.
Grammar: Takes an object: squeezing small businesses.
Patterns
- squeeze someone out of something
Rising rents are squeezing families who live in the city.
The supplier is squeezing its prices from both sides.
Higher costs are squeezing profit margins across the industry.
Word forms
| base form | squeeze |
|---|---|
| third person singular | squeezes |
| past tense | squeezed |
| past participle | squeezed |
Common combinations
- squeezing a lemon
- He was squeezing a lemon over the fish.
- squeezing into a seat
- She was squeezing into a seat at the crowded table.
- squeezing someone's hand
- He kept squeezing her hand during take-off.
- squeezing the budget
- The council is squeezing the budget again this year.
- squeezing through a gap
- The kitten was squeezing through a gap in the fence.
Synonyms and how they differ
- pressing
- It means pushing on something, but lacks the idea of gripping from all sides.
- squashing
- It means flattening something, often damaging it, while squeezing may just change its shape.
- wringing
- It involves twisting as well as pressing, usually to remove water from cloth.
- cramming
- It means forcing too many things into a space and sounds rougher than squeezing.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: squeezing or squeezing?
squeezing vs squeezing
Searches often misspell it as 'sqeezing'; remember the 'ue' after 'sq' and a double 'e'.
Practice
She is ___ the last of the toothpaste out of the tube.
Choose one answer.
Squeezing means pressing the tube to force the paste out; pouring would not work with a thick paste, and stretching and tearing do not describe the action.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “squeezing”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.