What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
press
Example
She pressed her hand against the door to open it. [press: verb]
Example
The newspaper press was responsible for printing thousands of copies each day. [press: noun]
Example
The concert was so crowded that we were all pressed together. [pressed: past participle]
squeeze
Example
He squeezed the lemon to get some juice. [squeeze: verb]
Example
I had to squeeze my suitcase into the overhead compartment. [squeeze: verb]
Example
We had to squeeze through the narrow hallway to get to the other room. [squeeze: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Press is more commonly used than squeeze in everyday language. Press is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while squeeze is more specific and often used in more limited contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between press and squeeze?
Press is often associated with a more formal or professional tone, while squeeze is more casual and playful in tone.