The phrase "pinched with hunger" reflects the feeling of being extremely hungry and it is often used to describe the physical sensation of intense starvation. There are several synonyms that can be used to convey the same meaning, including famished, ravenous, starved, and famishing. All these words indicate a severe lack of food and the resulting discomfort. Other synonyms such as peckish, hungry, and appetent are less intense and denote a milder form of hunger. However, no matter which word is used, they all capture the feeling of extreme hunger and the need for food.