What does "squeeze" mean?
An instance of squeezing.
Squeeze
/skwiːz/ noun, verb, slang
noun, verb, slang ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: An instance of squeezing.
- Grammar: squeeze is listed as noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: compress, wring, arrest, arrestation.
- Useful contrasts: abundance, breathing room, expand.
- Usage evidence: The bank rate cut is expected to relieve the severe financial squeeze that has hit industry.
How to use "squeeze"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "squeeze" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "squeeze" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "squeeze" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "squeeze" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "squeeze" is acting as noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "compress" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "squeeze", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An instance of squeezing. countable, uncountable
"to give something a squeeze"
- 2 the act of forcing yourself (or being forced) into or through a restricted space wordnet
- 3 A close or tight fit. countable, uncountable
- 4 the act of gripping and pressing firmly wordnet
- 5 A difficult position. countable, figuratively, uncountable
"I'm in a tight squeeze right now when it comes to my free time."
Show 17 more definitions
- 6 a tight or amorous embrace wordnet
- 7 A hug or other affectionate grasp. countable, uncountable
"a gentle squeeze on the arm"
- 8 an aggressive attempt to compel acquiescence by the concentration or manipulation of power wordnet
- 9 A romantic partner. countable, slang, uncountable
"I want to be your main squeeze."
- 10 a twisting squeeze wordnet
- 11 An illicit alcoholic drink made by squeezing Sterno through cheesecloth, etc., and mixing the result with fruit juice. countable, slang, uncountable
- 12 (slang) a person's girlfriend or boyfriend wordnet
- 13 The act of bunting in an attempt to score a runner from third. countable, uncountable
"The game ended in exciting fashion with a failed squeeze."
- 14 a situation in which increased costs cannot be passed on to the customer wordnet
- 15 A play that forces an opponent to discard a card that gives up one or more tricks. countable, uncountable
- 16 a state in which there is a short supply of cash to lend to businesses and consumers and interest rates are high wordnet
- 17 A traversal of a narrow passage. countable, uncountable
"It was a tight squeeze, but I got through to the next section of the cave."
- 18 A moulding, cast or other impression of an object, chiefly a design, inscription etc., especially by pressing wet paper onto the surface and peeling off when dry. countable, uncountable
"Nollekens, finding his wife always benefited by these visits, never refused White a squeeze of a patera, or any thing that would answer his purpose; […] White […] had turned his wine-cellars into manufactories for the produce of cast coins, and moderns squeezes from Roman lamps."
- 19 The gradual closing of workings by the weight of the overlying strata. countable, uncountable
- 20 The situation experienced by a middleman when pressured from both sides, especially financially. countable, dated, uncountable
"Thus was established a powerful Chinese combination, which maintained itself by submitting to a heavy "squeeze" at the hands of the Viceroy and Governor of Canton on the one hand and of the Hoppo on the other."
- 21 A bribe, fee, or extortionary price paid to a middleman, especially in China; the practice of requiring such a bribe or fee. countable, dated, uncountable
"If the licence […] was costly, it secured to them uninterrupted and extraordinary pecuniary advantages; but on the other hand it subjected them to 'calls' or 'squeezes' for contributions to public works, […] for the relief of districts suffering from scarcity […] as well as for the often imaginary […] damage caused by the overflowing of the 'Yangtse Keang' or the 'Yellow River.'"
- 22 A person's neck. UK, countable, obsolete, slang, uncountable
""Got his description putty close: Short black 'air, black whiskers, with a crips^([sic]) curl at the hedges; a white choker, tight round his squeeze; dressed in black, and orful hugly," remarked the policeman."
Verb
- 1 To apply pressure to from two or more sides at once. transitive
"I squeezed the ball between my hands."
- 2 squeeze or press together wordnet
- 3 To embrace closely; to give a tight hug to. transitive
- 4 hold (someone) tightly in your arms, usually with fondness wordnet
- 5 To fit into a tight place. ambitransitive
"I managed to squeeze the car into that parking space."
Show 11 more definitions
- 6 press firmly wordnet
- 7 To remove something with difficulty, or apparent difficulty. transitive
"He squeezed some money out of his wallet."
- 8 squeeze tightly between the fingers wordnet
- 9 To put in a difficult position by presenting two or more choices. transitive
"I'm being squeezed between my job and my volunteer work."
- 10 squeeze like a wedge into a tight space wordnet
- 11 To oppress with hardships, burdens, or taxes; to harass. figuratively, transitive
"a Civil War where People must expect to be crush'd and squeez'd in the Consequence"
- 12 to compress with violence, out of natural shape or condition wordnet
- 13 To attempt to score a runner from third by bunting. transitive
"Jones squeezed in Smith with a perfect bunt."
- 14 press or force wordnet
- 15 obtain by coercion or intimidation wordnet
- 16 to cause to do through pressure or necessity, by physical, moral or intellectual means wordnet
Example
"The bank rate cut is expected to relieve the severe financial squeeze that has hit industry."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "squeeze"?
Common synonyms include: compress, wring, arrest, arrestation, arrestment, badger.
How do you use "squeeze" in a sentence?
The bank rate cut is expected to relieve the severe financial squeeze that has hit industry.
How do you pronounce "squeeze"?
Pronounced /skwiːz/.
Etymology
From earlier squize, squise (whence also dialectal English squizzen and squeege), first attested around 1600, further origin uncertain; probably an alteration of quease (which is attested since 1550), from Middle English queisen (“to squeeze”), from Old English cwȳsan (“to crush, squeeze”), itself also of unknown origin, perhaps imitative (compare Swedish qväsa, kväsa (“to squeeze, bruise, crush; quell”), Dutch kwetsen (“to injure, hurt”), German quetschen (“to squeeze”)). Or, a blend of obsolete squiss (“to squeeze”) (whence also squash and squish) with quease. Compare also French esquicher from Old Occitan esquichar (“to press, squeeze”). The slang expression "to put the squeeze on (someone or something)", meaning "to exert influence", is from 1711. The baseball term "squeeze play" is first recorded 1905. "Main squeeze" ("most important person") is attested from 1896, the specific meaning "one's sweetheart, lover" is attested in 1970s. The nonstandard strong forms squoze and squozen, attested dialectally since at least the mid-19th century, are by analogy with freeze.