squeeze

Dictionary definition · squeeze

the act of gripping and pressing firmly"he gave her cheek a playful squeeze"
a state in which there is a short supply of cash to lend to businesses and consumers and interest rates are high
a situation in which increased costs cannot be passed on to the customer"increased expenses put a squeeze on profits"
(slang) a person's girlfriend or boyfriend"she was his main squeeze"
a twisting squeeze"gave the wet cloth a wring"
an aggressive attempt to compel acquiescence by the concentration or manipulation of power"she laughed at this sexual power play and walked away"

to compress with violence, out of natural shape or condition"crush an aluminum can"
press firmly"He squeezed my hand"
squeeze like a wedge into a tight space"I squeezed myself into the corner"
to cause to do through pressure or necessity, by physical, moral or intellectual means"She forced him to take a job in the city"
obtain by coercion or intimidation"They extorted money from the executive by threatening to reveal his past to the company boss"
press or force"Stuff money into an envelope"

Source: Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).