as in compression
the act or process of reducing the size or volume of something by or as if by pressing
most substances undergo contraction when cooled
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 contraction
This is now the second time one of the veteran comics’ contraction of COVID has forced a tour cancellation or rescheduling.
—
Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 20 Sep. 2025
The country recorded annual contractions in both 2023 and 2024, with 2025 also off to a muted start.
—Sophie Kiderlin, CNBC, 19 Sep. 2025
At a time when America’s film and television industry is still struggling due to globalization and industry contraction, further unnecessary job losses only make a bad situation worse.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2025
Formed the same way that all stellar and planetary systems form, our own Solar System formed from the contraction of a molecular cloud that triggered new star formation, giving rise to the Earth, the Sun, and more.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contraction
Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 20 Sep. 2025
The country recorded annual contractions in both 2023 and 2024, with 2025 also off to a muted start.
—Sophie Kiderlin, CNBC, 19 Sep. 2025
At a time when America’s film and television industry is still struggling due to globalization and industry contraction, further unnecessary job losses only make a bad situation worse.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2025
Formed the same way that all stellar and planetary systems form, our own Solar System formed from the contraction of a molecular cloud that triggered new star formation, giving rise to the Earth, the Sun, and more.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contraction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contraction
Noun
-
Specializing in thermal adhesive and battery compression pad production for electric vehicle manufacturers across the Southeast, Unitech also manufacturers industrial adhesives and sealers for its customers.—
Stuart Dyos,
Nashville Tennessean,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Wear Properly Fitting Shoes Blisters develop in areas of the foot with higher levels of compression against the skin.—
Aubrey Bailey,
Verywell Health,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The team successfully demonstrated quantum squeezing of the motion of a nanoscale particle, a motion whose uncertainty is smaller than the quantum mechanical fluctuations usually considered the ultimate limit.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Years, and Bay Area careers in contracting and the restaurant industry later, the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta became his summer home.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
26 Sep. 2025
-
An investigation into unlicensed contracting led to a chase on the Overseas Highway in the Florida Keys that ended with a crash into a deputy’s car and three people arrested Monday morning, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Desert lizards evolved scales that channel condensation directly to their mouths.—
Tejasri Gururaj,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Sisters flit in and out of the house while others gab about the new semester, sipping on iced coffees that are quickly gathering condensation.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Then there was the Weird and Wild way the Tigers manufactured their winning run, in the seventh inning Tuesday — with a Zach McKinstry squeeze bunt.—
Jayson Stark,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
-
If plain water isn’t your thing, add a squeeze of lemon or fruit slices.—
Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Yet what might sound like constriction has yielded sharper collaboration.—
Jasmine Browley,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
And being precious with a single period is not a constriction.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
9 Sep. 2025
Video
On Contractions of Multiple Words
You all would not have guessed some of these
Cite this Entry
“Contraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contraction. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share