squeeze Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the act of gripping and pressing firmly
    squeezing.
    • he gave her cheek a playful squeeze
  2. noun a state in which there is a short supply of cash to lend to businesses and consumers and interest rates are high
    liquidity crisis; credit crunch.
  3. noun a situation in which increased costs cannot be passed on to the customer
    • increased expenses put a squeeze on profits
  4. noun (slang) a person's girlfriend or boyfriend
    • she was his main squeeze
  5. noun a twisting squeeze
    wring.
    • gave the wet cloth a wring
  6. noun an aggressive attempt to compel acquiescence by the concentration or manipulation of power
    squeeze play; power play.
    • she laughed at this sexual power play and walked away
  7. noun a tight or amorous embrace
    hug; clinch.
    • come here and give me a big hug
  8. noun the act of forcing yourself (or being forced) into or through a restricted space
    • getting through that small opening was a tight squeeze
  9. verb to compress with violence, out of natural shape or condition
    crush; squelch; squash; mash.
    • crush an aluminum can
    • squeeze a lemon
  10. verb press firmly
    • He squeezed my hand
  11. verb squeeze like a wedge into a tight space
    wedge; force.
    • I squeezed myself into the corner
  12. verb to cause to do through pressure or necessity, by physical, moral or intellectual means :"She forced him to take a job in the city"
    coerce; force; hale; pressure.
    • He squeezed her for information
  13. verb obtain by coercion or intimidation
    extort; gouge; wring; rack.
    • They extorted money from the executive by threatening to reveal his past to the company boss
    • They squeezed money from the owner of the business by threatening him
  14. verb press or force
    thrust; stuff; shove.
    • Stuff money into an envelope
    • She thrust the letter into his hand
  15. verb squeeze tightly between the fingers
    twitch; pinch; tweet; twinge; nip.
    • He pinched her behind
    • She squeezed the bottle
  16. verb squeeze (someone) tightly in your arms, usually with fondness
    hug; embrace; bosom.
    • Hug me, please
    • They embraced
    • He hugged her close to him
  17. verb squeeze or press together
    compact; compress; contract; press; constrict.
    • she compressed her lips
    • the spasm contracted the muscle

WordNet

Squeeze transitive verb
Etymology
OE. queisen, AS. cwesan, cw&ymac;san, cwisan, of uncertain origin. The s- was probably prefixed through the influence of squash, v.t.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Squeezed ; present participle & verbal noun Squeezing
Definitions
  1. To press between two bodies; to press together closely; to compress; often, to compress so as to expel juice, moisture, etc.; as, to squeeze an orange with the fingers; to squeeze the hand in friendship.
  2. Fig.: To oppress with hardships, burdens, or taxes; to harass; to crush.
    In a civil war, people must expect to be crushed and squeezed toward the burden. L'Estrange.
  3. To force, or cause to pass, by compression; often with out, through, etc.; as, to squeeze water through felt. Syn. -- To compress; hug; pinch; gripe; crowd.
Squeeze intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To press; to urge one's way, or to pass, by pressing; to crowd; -- often with through, into, etc.; as, to squeeze hard to get through a crowd.
Squeeze noun
Definitions
  1. The act of one who squeezes; compression between bodies; pressure.
  2. A facsimile impression taken in some soft substance, as pulp, from an inscription on stone.

Webster 1913