squeeze squeeze /ˈskwiːz/

noun

1. () The act of gripping and pressing firmly  ( squeezing , squeeze )
   the act of gripping and pressing firmly
    He gave her cheek a playful squeeze
   he gave her cheek a playful squeeze
   
2. The act of forcing yourself (or being forced) into or through a restricted space  ( squeeze )
   the act of forcing yourself (or being forced) into or through a restricted space
    Getting through that small opening was a tight squeeze
   getting through that small opening was a tight squeeze
   
3. A tight or amorous embrace  ( clinch , hug , squeeze )
   a tight or amorous embrace
    Come here and give me a big hug
   come here and give me a big hug
   
   
4. An aggressive attempt to compel acquiescence by the concentration or manipulation of power  ( power play , squeeze , squeeze play )
   an aggressive attempt to compel acquiescence by the concentration or manipulation of power
    She laughed at this sexual power play and walked away
   she laughed at this sexual power play and walked away
   
5. A twisting squeeze  ( squeeze , wring )
   a twisting squeeze
    Gave the wet cloth a wring
   gave the wet cloth a wring
   
6. [Slang] A person's girlfriend or boyfriend  ( squeeze [Slang] )
   a person's girlfriend or boyfriend
    She was his main squeeze
   she was his main squeeze
   
7. A situation in which increased costs cannot be passed on to the customer  ( squeeze )
   a situation in which increased costs cannot be passed on to the customer
    Increased expenses put a squeeze on profits
   increased expenses put a squeeze on profits
   
8. A state in which there is a short supply of cash to lend to businesses and consumers and interest rates are high  ( credit crunch , liquidity crisis , squeeze )
   a state in which there is a short supply of cash to lend to businesses and consumers and interest rates are high
   
   

verb

1. () To compress with violence, out of natural shape or condition  ( squelch , mash , squash , crush , squeeze )
   to compress with violence, out of natural shape or condition
    Crush an aluminum can
   crush an aluminum can
    Squeeze a lemon
   squeeze a lemon
   
2. () Press firmly  ( squeeze )
   press firmly
    He squeezed my hand
   He squeezed my hand
   
3. () Squeeze like a wedge into a tight space  ( wedge , force , squeeze )
   squeeze like a wedge into a tight space
    I squeezed myself into the corner
   I squeezed myself into the corner
   
4. Squeeze or press together  ( compact , squeeze , constrict , compress , contract , press )
   squeeze or press together
    She compressed her lips
   she compressed her lips
    The spasm contracted the muscle
   the spasm contracted the muscle
   
5. Hold (someone) tightly in your arms, usually with fondness  ( bosom , squeeze , embrace , hug )
   hold (someone) tightly in your arms, usually with fondness
    Hug me, please
   Hug me, please
    They embraced
   They embraced
    He hugged her close to him
   He hugged her close to him
   
6. Squeeze tightly between the fingers  ( squeeze , tweet , twinge , nip , pinch , twitch )
   squeeze tightly between the fingers
    He pinched her behind
   He pinched her behind
    She squeezed the bottle
   She squeezed the bottle
   
7. Press or force  ( shove , squeeze , stuff , thrust )
   press or force
    Stuff money into an envelope
   Stuff money into an envelope
    She thrust the letter into his hand
   She thrust the letter into his hand
   
8. Obtain by coercion or intimidation  ( extort , rack [Archaic] , squeeze , gouge [Informal] , wring )
   obtain by coercion or intimidation
    They extorted money from the executive by threatening to reveal his past to the company boss
   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
   They squeezed money from the owner of the business by threatening him
   
9. To cause to do through pressure or necessity, by physical, moral or intellectual means  ( hale [Archaic] , squeeze , pressure , coerce , force )
   to cause to do through pressure or necessity, by physical, moral or intellectual means
    She forced him to take a job in the city
   She forced him to take a job in the city
    He squeezed her for information
   He squeezed her for information