short squeeze

American  

[shawrt skweez] / ˈʃɔrt ˈskwiz /

noun

Stock Exchange.

1. a condition that occurs when the price of a stock or security rises unexpectedly after an unusually large number of short transactions, forcing the short sellers to cut their losses by rapidly buying up the stock, in turn driving the price even higher.

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Etymology

Origin of short squeeze

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

The company’s shares recently soared from below $150 at the end March to roughly $848 last week, before crashing back down in a topsy-turvy short squeeze.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

Shares of Avis Budget Group fell Wednesday after the car-rental company reported deeper losses than expected in the first quarter and continued to deal with the aftermath of its bizarre short squeeze.

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026

The wildest short squeeze of this year just got a little more complicated.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

It could also create strain between Pentwater and the beleaguered car-rental company, which the hedge fund started betting on long before the recent short squeeze.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

That has made plenty of stocks ripe for a short squeeze, Gross said.

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026