pinched
adj. B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈpɪntʃt// UK //pˈɪntʃt// pinched
adj. looking thin, tired, or unhealthy, especially in the face. People often look this way when they are very cold, sick, or worried.
adj. appearing thin, drawn, or strained, typically as a result of physical distress, cold, or anxiety. Often used to describe facial features that look tight or narrow due to stress.
His face looked pinched after a long night of work.
The hikers arrived at the cabin with pinched, pale faces after trekking through the freezing wind for hours.
Her expression remained pinched throughout the interview, betraying a deep-seated anxiety that her composed words attempted to hide from the committee.
Usage
Commonly used as a predicative adjective after linking verbs like 'look', 'appear', or 'become'.