squish

American  

[skwish] / skwɪʃ /

verb (used with object)

1. to squeeze or squash.

   It's a soft bread, so it's easy to accidentally squish it while cutting.

   The long ride was going to be uncomfortable, what with having to squish six people into a tiny car.

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verb (used without object)

1. to make a gushing or splashing sound.

   His soaking wet sneakers squished as he plodded by.

   I waded out of the river, mud squishing between my toes.

2. to become squeezed or squashed.

   The softer containers can squish down when empty, allowing them to take up less space.

3. to make one's way with a gushing or splashing sound.

   We said our goodbyes, and she squished away to the bus stop in the rain.

noun

1. a gushing or splashing sound.

   I thought I was alone in the woods until I heard the squish of footsteps on wet leaves.

2. an instance of being squeezed or squashed.

   The table could seat four people, but it would be a squish.

3. Slang. a politician, especially a Republican, who is perceived by members of their own party as overly moderate or willing to compromise.

   His rival in the party claimed he was a squish who cared more about making deals than sticking to his beliefs.

4. Slang. an intense feeling of infatuation that is not romantic or sexual in nature; a platonic crush.

   I had such a squish on her when we first met, but luckily it worked out and now she's my best friend.

squish British  

/ skwɪʃ /

verb

1. (tr) to crush, esp so as to make a soft splashing noise

2. (intr) (of mud, etc) to make a splashing noise

   the ground squishes as you tread

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noun

1. a soft squashing sound

   the ripe peach fell with a squish

Other Word Forms

• squished adjective

Etymology

Origin of squish

First recorded in 1640–50; alteration of squash ¹

Example Sentences

It shimmered in the sunlight, but underfoot my toes squished in the mud, and next to me, Maeve’s fur was matted with it.

From Literature

I was forced along with the tide, squished and squeezed as someone in the front of the room begged for everyone to come back, informing them again and again that this meeting wasn’t over.

From Literature

Heroic rescues are not as glamorous as people imagine, I thought as I squished along in the muck.

From Literature

My father, the hardcore pacifist who can’t even squish a spider, reaches for the power cord snaking from the television to the wall socket.

From Literature

Being home-schooled meant I didn’t have to ride squished on a smelly old bus, or sit still in a stuffy room all day long.

From Literature

Related Words

• scrunch