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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contraction
Another agent pointed to how contractions in post-strike, post-pandemic Hollywood have decimated the theater business, creating new opportunities that Netflix would be foolish to pass up.
—
Chris Lee, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2025
Readings below 50 indicate contraction.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 3 Nov. 2025
The sub-indexes tracking production, new orders, raw material inventory and employment all sunk further into contraction, official data showed, pointing to a deeper manufacturing slowdown and softer demand.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025
At that point, her contractions were constant.
—Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contraction
Chris Lee, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2025
Readings below 50 indicate contraction.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 3 Nov. 2025
The sub-indexes tracking production, new orders, raw material inventory and employment all sunk further into contraction, official data showed, pointing to a deeper manufacturing slowdown and softer demand.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025
At that point, her contractions were constant.
—Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contraction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contraction
Noun
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The sock maker could also deliver compression socks, which in-flight employees have requested.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
5 Nov. 2025
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Suspension duties come courtesy of a Marzocchi setup that takes care of compression and rebound damping separately at both front and rear.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Hassan’s team instead squeezed a photon’s intensity and demonstrated real-time control, fluctuating between intensity and phase-squeezing by adjusting the silica’s position relative to the beams.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Jacobson tells us what conclusions emerged from the forum about how to rebuild in the face of defunding and a contracting market in general for documentaries.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
21 Oct. 2025
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The effort has also faced criticism over transparency after reports revealed that more than 2,000 people involved were required to sign nondisclosure agreements, limiting public access to spending and contracting details.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Inside, temperature layers could create condensation to support plant growth.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
23 Oct. 2025
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Paint will degrade over time in unregulated temperatures, especially as weather fluctuates for the seasons, and electronics will collect condensation in their circuit boards, internal pieces, and electrical equipment—all of which will cause warping and corrosion over time.—
Michelle Mastro,
Architectural Digest,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The financial services industry has quietly become an artificial intelligence battleground and Lemonade, ticker LMND , is back in focus putting the 'squeeze' on the massive insurance industry that is seen as analog in the new digital world.—
Todd Gordon,
CNBC,
4 Nov. 2025
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In parallel, the dramatic drop in international student enrollment, the financial squeeze facing research institutions, and research security measures to curb foreign interference spell an uncertain future for American higher education.—
Kenneth M. Evans,
The Conversation,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Physical changes which happen during menopause that have to do with dilation or constriction of the blood vessels and impact body temperature are known as vasomotor symptoms.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
17 Oct. 2025
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The receptors control constriction and dilation in the smooth muscle fibers in the walls of these blood vessels.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
12 Oct. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Contraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contraction. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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