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as in to compress
to become smaller in size or volume through the drawing together of particles of matter over time the once-fluffy material in the pillow had condensed into a lumpy wad

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word condense different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of condense are compress, constrict, contract, deflate, and shrink. While all these words mean "to decrease in bulk or volume," condense implies a reducing of something homogeneous to greater compactness without significant loss of content.

condense the essay into a paragraph

Where would compress be a reasonable alternative to condense?

While in some cases nearly identical to condense, compress implies a pressing into a small compass and definite shape usually against resistance.

compressed cotton into bales

When would constrict be a good substitute for condense?

The meanings of constrict and condense largely overlap; however, constrict implies a tightening that reduces diameter.

the throat is constricted by a tight collar

In what contexts can contract take the place of condense?

The words contract and condense can be used in similar contexts, but contract applies to a drawing together of surfaces or particles or a reduction of area or length.

caused her muscles to contract

When is it sensible to use deflate instead of condense?

The words deflate and condense are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, deflate implies a contracting by reducing the internal pressure of contained air or gas.

deflate the balloon

When could shrink be used to replace condense?

Although the words shrink and condense have much in common, shrink implies a contracting or a loss of material and stresses a falling short of original dimensions.

the sweater will shrink when washed

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of condense The following interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity. Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 17 June 2025 The interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 16 June 2025 It's also practiced by certain insects, notably Namib desert beetles, which survive on the water that condenses onto their wings. Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 13 June 2025 Related Stories This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity. Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for condense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for condense
Verb
  • Additionally, gross margins are projected to compress by 4 to 5 percentage points due to aggressive inventory clearance strategies.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
  • The lettuce is tightly compressed, and larger ingredients at the bottom don’t really move much with a simple shake.
    Wilder Davies, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Paul Blackburn, with plenty of starting experience for Oakland, could squeeze into the picture too – especially if the Mets decide to try a six-man rotation that would save wear and tear on each man.
    Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
  • When pancake is ready to flip, squeeze the cinnamon mixture into a swirl shape on top of the pancake batter, pressing the tip of the bag slightly into the batter.
    Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • All evacuation orders have been reduced to warnings.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 20 June 2025
  • And don’t overlook the device section—Oura Ring and T3 are significantly reduced, much to our excitement.
    Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Because of rising wage inequality, more and more earnings have become concentrated above this tax limit and the tax base for Social Security has shrunk as a result, as my colleagues and I already discussed about a decade ago.
    Christian Weller, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
  • That means that as intimate partner violence increases, the resources for women affected by it are shrinking.
    Alana Semuels, Time, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • Once extracted, researchers began to compare the genetic material discovered to previous samples.
    Nick Butler, FOXNews.com, 21 June 2025
  • In November 2022, President Joe Biden issued a license to allow the oil company Chevron to evade sanctions in order to extract oil in Venezuela.
    Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • The roles are mostly concentrated in senior and management levels.
    Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2025
  • While trying to concentrate on outplaying DeChambeau in that six-hole playoff four years ago, Cantlay said he was struck by the intensity of the fans’ reactions to their shots.
    Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • Kids who try to end-run this will have their streams removed and live chat disabled.
    Danny Bakst, Fortune, 26 June 2025
  • Florida Fish and Wildlife officials removed the alligators, allowing divers to recover a deceased male from the vehicle.
    Chris Anderson, USA Today, 26 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Condense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/condense. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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