Synonyms for pressed
EXAMPLES FROM THE WEB FOR PRESSED
And Dick took Mary's hand in a warm clasp, pressed it tenderly.
His expression grew morose, as again he pressed the button on his desk.
He pressed the button on his desk, and, as the doorman appeared, addressed that functionary.
He pressed the button-call, and ordered the doorman to send in Cassidy.
They were the hands that Ned had kissed, as he had mine; clasped and pressed, as he had—how could he!
Presently he grasped Mrs. Ritter's hand, and pressed it almost painfully.
With these words he pressed the half-gulden into Stineli's hand.
He pressed the child's hand, turned him about, and went into the house.
For a minute, without speaking, Angelique pressed Felicien's hands in hers.
Linda laid her palm on the top of the sand heap and pressed it flat.
WORD ORIGIN
c.1300, presse, "crowd, throng, company; crowding and jostling of a throng; a massing together," from Old French presse (n.) "throng, crush, crowd; wine or cheese press" (11c.), from Latin pressare (see press (v.1)). Late Old English had press "clothes press."
Meaning "device for pressing cloth" is from late 14c., as is also the sense "device to squeeze juice from grapes, oil from olives, cider from apples, etc.," from Middle French presse. Specific sense "machine for printing" is from 1530s; this was extended to publishing houses by 1570s and to publishing generally (in phrases like freedom of the press) from c.1680. This gradually shifted c.1800-1820 to "periodical publishing, journalism." The press, meaning "journalists collectively" is attested from 1921 (though superseded by media since the rise of television, etc.).
Press agent is from 1873; press conference is attested from 1931, though the thing itself dates to at least World War I. Press secretary is recorded from 1940. Via the sense "crowd, throng," Middle English in press meant "in public," a coincidental parallel to the modern phrase in the press. Weightlifting sense is from 1908. The basketball defense so called from 1959 (in full-court press).