pinching
Nipping between fingers
Pinching is the act of squeezing something between thumb and finger, or between two hard surfaces.
The word captures both the action and its effects—a pinching sensation is sharp and uncomfortable.
Pinching pennies means being extremely frugal.
In British slang, pinching is stealing: Someone's been pinching office supplies.
Pressing inward firmly
- grippingHolding attention completely
- clampingFixing firmly with pressure
- nippingBiting lightly, sharply
- pressingRequiring immediate attention
constricting · clenching · tightening · crimping · clasping · tweezers · forceps · pliers
Minor, sneaky theft
- filchingStealing small items
- shopliftingStealing store merchandise
- theftUnlawful taking of property
- swipingTaking something swiftly
nicking · pocketing · thievery · snatching · pickpocketing · light-fingered · sticky-fingers
Brief, sharp sensation
- stingSharp wound from insect
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
- nippingBiting lightly, sharply
- pricklingSharp tingling sensation
biting · cramp · discomfort · tenderness · tightness · shooting · nerve · pressure
Cutting vegetation for health
- buddingDeveloping from an outgrowth
- graftingJoining tissues to grow together
- thinningReducing density or number
- deadheadingRemoving wilted flowers
topping · nipping · bonsai · espalier · shaping · training · snipping
Excessive thrift, stingy saving
- thriftCareful use of resources
- tightfistedUnwilling to spend freely
- stingyUnwilling to spend freely
- miserlyExcessively reluctant to spend
economizing · budgeting · saving · cheapskate · parsimonious · frugal · sparing · skimping
Restless minor movements
- rubbingApplying pressure while moving
- scratchingRaking with nails
- pickingAct of selecting
- self-soothingCalming oneself independently
squeezing
Pressing inward firmly
- grippingHolding attention completely
- clampingFixing firmly with pressure
- nippingBiting lightly, sharply
pressing · constricting · clenching · tightening · crimping · clasping · tweezers · forceps · pliers · vise
pilfering
Minor, sneaky theft
- filchingStealing small items
- shopliftingStealing store merchandise
- theftUnlawful taking of property
swiping · nicking · pocketing · thievery · snatching · pickpocketing · light-fingered · sticky-fingers
twinge
Brief, sharp sensation
prickling · biting · cramp · discomfort · tenderness · tightness · shooting · nerve · pressure · soreness
pruning
Cutting vegetation for health
- buddingDeveloping from an outgrowth
- graftingJoining tissues to grow together
- thinningReducing density or number
deadheading · topping · nipping · bonsai · espalier · shaping · training · snipping
scrimping
Excessive thrift, stingy saving
- thriftCareful use of resources
- tightfistedUnwilling to spend freely
- stingyUnwilling to spend freely
miserly · economizing · budgeting · saving · cheapskate · parsimonious · frugal · sparing · skimping
fidgeting
Restless minor movements
- rubbingApplying pressure while moving
- scratchingRaking with nails
- pickingAct of selecting
- aggressionhostility, violence, attack, fight, combativeness
- ceramicspottery, porcelain, cup, bowl, plate
- gardeninggardener, gardening, flowers, seeds, soil
- gardening termsgrowing, blooming, wilting, pruning, grafting
- motor skillsmotor skills, fine motor skills, motor control, gross motor skills, walking
- potterypot, pottery, clay pottery, throwing, ceramic vase
pinchingsquandering
Reckless depletion of resources
splurging · lavishing · wasting · extravagance · prodigality
pinchingreleasing
Allowing to escape
letting go · spreading · opening · loosening · grasping
pinchingloosening
Reducing tightness or tension
relaxing · roomy · loose-fitting · comfortable · spacious
- pinching penniesObsessive spending restraint
- pinching offRemoving by squeezing
- pinching outRemoving shoot tips
pinch, pinched, pinches, pincers, pincer, pincher, unpinched, pinch pennies