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squeeze

/skwiːz/

noun

Meaning

  • A close or tight fit.

  • A difficult position.

    "I'm in a tight squeeze right now when it comes to my free time."

  • A hug or other affectionate grasp.

    "a gentle squeeze on the arm"

  • A romantic partner.

    "I want to be your main squeeze."

  • An illicit alcoholic drink made by squeezing Sterno through cheesecloth, etc., and mixing the result with fruit juice.

  • The act of bunting in an attempt to score a runner from third.

    "The game ended in exciting fashion with a failed squeeze."

  • A play that forces an opponent to discard a card that gives up one or more tricks.

  • A traversal of a narrow passage.

    "It was a tight squeeze, but I got through to the next section of the cave."

  • (epigraphy) An impression of an inscription formed by pressing wet paper onto the surface and peeling off when dry.

    "The light not being good enough for photography, I took a squeeze of the stone."

  • The gradual closing of workings by the weight of the overlying strata.

  • A bribe or fee paid to a middleman, especially in China; the practice of requiring such a bribe or fee.

verb

Meaning

  • To apply pressure to from two or more sides at once.

    "I squeezed the ball between my hands."

  • To embrace closely; to give a tight hug to.

  • To fit into a tight place.

    "Can you squeeze through that gap?"

  • To remove something with difficulty, or apparent difficulty.

    "He squeezed some money out of his wallet."

  • To put in a difficult position by presenting two or more choices.

    "I'm being squeezed between my job and my volunteer work."

  • To oppress with hardships, burdens, or taxes; to harass.

  • To attempt to score a runner from third by bunting.

    "Jones squeezed in Smith with a perfect bunt."

Synonyms

compress,
condense