Under the combined stress of sea-level rise and intensified human activities, the coastal wetlands worldwide have suffered severe degradation. Among the various issues contributing to the loss of coastal wetlands, researchers throughout the world have consideredcoastal squeezeas one of the most critical factors. Based on a thorough review on the relevant studies at home and abroad, this article outlined the adaptation mechanism of the coastal wetlands in response to rise of the sea level, and studied the cause of coastal squeeze and its features and impacts, and provided examples on the wetland damage due to coastal squeeze from different representative countries, as well as their evaluation methods and countermeasures. Focusing on the cause of the phenomenon and its impacts and countermeasures, the review provided the reference for China's coastal wetlands protection and restoration in the context of climate change.