squish

[skwish]

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.

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

/ 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

noun

1. a soft squashing sound

   the ripe peach fell with a squish

Other Word Forms

• squished adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of squish¹

First recorded in 1640–50; alteration of squash ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of squish¹

C17: of imitative origin

Example Sentences

She was caught on camera squishing her hands right into his handsome face.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Instead of squishing together on a tiny stage, we’ll get to shine in our very own theater, and our home sports will actually be at our home.”

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Rosemary Coogan is surrounded by a team of people pushing, pulling, squishing and squeezing her into a spacesuit.

Read more on BBC

It was uncomfortable, and the pillows were inflated like balloons that wouldn’t squish when you laid on them, making for two sleepless nights.

Read more on Salon

It also collapses into itself, like a camping cup that squishes flat.

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Related Words

• scrunch