as in squeezed
Related Words
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Dissimilar Words
as in seized
to take or make use of under a guise of authority but without actual right
the fleeing bank robber pressed a nearby taxi into service as a getaway car
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in shoved
to push steadily against with some force
an old doorbell that requires you to press the button hard
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
3
as in huddled
to gather into a closely packed group
everyone pressed around me to see the pictures
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
5
as in compelled
to cause (a person) to give in to pressure
a manager pressed by a business crisis to return from his vacation ahead of schedule
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in urged
to try to persuade (someone) through earnest appeals to follow a course of action
pressed us to go with them to the school board meeting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in emphasized
to indicate the importance of by centering attention on
an office e-mail that presses the need for greater vigilance concerning building security
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of pressed
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Apr. 2026
Uy Scuti Bøyz [YSL] You’d be hard pressed to find an up-and-coming Atlanta rapper who doesn’t want to pay their respects to Young Thug, but not all of them are signed to his label.
—Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 17 Apr. 2026
Extra virgin olive oil is cold-pressed, unlike regular olive oil.
—Isabel Vasquez Rd Ldn, Health, 16 Apr. 2026
One would, in fact, be hard-pressed to discover within the historical records of the republic a Cabinet member more hermetically aligned with his commander in chief’s agenda than Hegseth.
—Kelly Sloan, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2026
The President will be hard pressed to convince anyone aside from his most ardent supporters that what has happened in the past six weeks constitutes an American success.
—Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2026
Even before the takeover, guests wouldn’t have been hard-pressed to find an Ortiz design while on board.
—Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 6 Apr. 2026
Consumers will be hard pressed to find a better minivan in today’s automotive market.
—Marc D Grasso, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026
Yoán Moncada or 34-year-old DH Jorge Soler, and the Angels would be hard-pressed to replace them with even average production.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 23 Mar. 2026
Dane Brugler, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
But Miami pressed hard and had an 18-16 edge in shots, even having a goal annulled on a tight offside call.
—Julian Cardillo, Boston Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
Walter had just turned 18, and both he and Kwakenat were relieved the student's parents had not pressed criminal charges.
—Laurie Stern, NPR, 26 Apr. 2026
On Tuesday, Warsh was pressed by lawmakers about monetary policy and whether the central bank will operate independently from the White House.
—Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026
The president was also pressed about his own security posture going forward.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
He was pressed by teachers and coaches.
—Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2026
Chopped macadamia nuts add a textural element and rich, buttery flavor to a graham cracker crust pressed into a 13x9 inch baking pan.
—Jenavieve Christensen, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Apr. 2026
Investigators allege Lewin then repeatedly slammed the man's head against a gurney, pressed his fingers into the man's eyes, and choked him.
—Abby Dodge, CBS News, 25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Jako Wellness Cafe is the newest addition to Ladera’s dining scene, serving pressed juices, smoothies, and nutrient-rich dishes harvested directly from the resort’s gardens.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Apr. 2026
Uy Scuti Bøyz [YSL] You’d be hard pressed to find an up-and-coming Atlanta rapper who doesn’t want to pay their respects to Young Thug, but not all of them are signed to his label.
—Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 17 Apr. 2026
Extra virgin olive oil is cold-pressed, unlike regular olive oil.
—Isabel Vasquez Rd Ldn, Health, 16 Apr. 2026
One would, in fact, be hard-pressed to discover within the historical records of the republic a Cabinet member more hermetically aligned with his commander in chief’s agenda than Hegseth.
—Kelly Sloan, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2026
The President will be hard pressed to convince anyone aside from his most ardent supporters that what has happened in the past six weeks constitutes an American success.
—Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2026
Even before the takeover, guests wouldn’t have been hard-pressed to find an Ortiz design while on board.
—Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 6 Apr. 2026
Consumers will be hard pressed to find a better minivan in today’s automotive market.
—Marc D Grasso, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026
Yoán Moncada or 34-year-old DH Jorge Soler, and the Angels would be hard-pressed to replace them with even average production.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 23 Mar. 2026
Verb
Obviously, the Chargers have their starters at tackle, but Burke might surprise if pressed into action.
—Dane Brugler, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
But Miami pressed hard and had an 18-16 edge in shots, even having a goal annulled on a tight offside call.
—Julian Cardillo, Boston Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
Walter had just turned 18, and both he and Kwakenat were relieved the student's parents had not pressed criminal charges.
—Laurie Stern, NPR, 26 Apr. 2026
On Tuesday, Warsh was pressed by lawmakers about monetary policy and whether the central bank will operate independently from the White House.
—Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026
The president was also pressed about his own security posture going forward.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
He was pressed by teachers and coaches.
—Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2026
Chopped macadamia nuts add a textural element and rich, buttery flavor to a graham cracker crust pressed into a 13x9 inch baking pan.
—Jenavieve Christensen, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Apr. 2026
Investigators allege Lewin then repeatedly slammed the man's head against a gurney, pressed his fingers into the man's eyes, and choked him.
—Abby Dodge, CBS News, 25 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pressed
Adjective
-
The ingredient list is simple, but don't even think about skipping the crushed ice and the classic silver julep cup.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Flavor the tangy, no-bake filling with crushed pineapple, sweetened coconut flakes, and a splash of rum.—
Jenavieve Christensen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
China’s military has unveiled a combat drone converted from a Soviet–era fighter jet, a development that could enable massed drone attacks in any future conflict over Taiwan.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pressed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pressed. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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