1
as in hard
having a consistency that does not easily yield to pressure
a mattress with a compact foam core
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in packed
having little space between items or parts
compact soil that should provide good support for the plant
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in concise
marked by the use of few words to convey much information or meaning
compact prose without a single wasted word
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in treaty
a formal agreement between two or more nations or peoples
a five-nation compact to control drug traffic
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in agreement
an arrangement about action to be taken
the two made a compact never to artificially prolong the other's life in the event of incapacitating illness or injury
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to consolidate
to bring (something) to a central point or under a single control
the media giant decided to compact all of its far-flung operations onto a single site
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to compress
to reduce in size or volume by or as if by pressing parts or members together
compact the snow into a tight ball for throwing
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 compact
New Atlas, 11 Mar. 2026
Beats Studio Buds + Deal The Beats Studio Buds + pack powerful audio despite their compact size.
—George Yang, PC Magazine, 11 Mar. 2026
Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 3 Feb. 2026
Multiple states have gone to court to argue prediction markets are nothing more than unlicensed gambling sites that operate in violation of state law and tribal compacts.
—A.j. Perez, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026
Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2026
Apply coffee grounds sparingly—once every two to four months—to avoid compacting soil and harming your plant.
—Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for compact
Adjective
Pickup truck campers and camping toppers have been growing lighter and lighter through smart, compact design, but few approach the featheriness of the Thaircamper.
—New Atlas, 11 Mar. 2026
Beats Studio Buds + Deal The Beats Studio Buds + pack powerful audio despite their compact size.
—George Yang, PC Magazine, 11 Mar. 2026
Noun
The all-electric compact is also surprisingly powerful, especially now that a V-Series variant ($67,300) is available.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 3 Feb. 2026
Multiple states have gone to court to argue prediction markets are nothing more than unlicensed gambling sites that operate in violation of state law and tribal compacts.
—A.j. Perez, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026
Verb
Leeds are physical, direct and can sit in a low block, compacting central areas.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2026
Apply coffee grounds sparingly—once every two to four months—to avoid compacting soil and harming your plant.
—Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for compact
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compact
Adjective
-
Perry would have to hit four more free throws in the final 12 seconds, all after taking a hard foul to the head.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
-
One thing to mention—the floors are made of stone and extremely hard.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The following Monday, at least a hundred of them packed Malé, as the airport is commonly known, charging phones, tending to young children and sleeping in any available space.—
Blane Bachelor,
CNN Money,
14 Mar. 2026
-
There would be long flights, days in the sun of Delhi and in the potentially cold and rainy mountains of Rajasthan, dusty and packed queues to get into mosques and palaces, and time spent exploring street food stalls and markets.—
Alexandra Pereira,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Aim for clear headlines and concise notes, and agree on timelines to ensure your reputation reflects focus and reliability.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Get concise answers to your questions.—
Michael E. Ruane,
Washington Post,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The treaty remains one of the most painful symbols of foreign domination in Iranian political memory.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Under a treaty, the Common Travel Agreement, Irish citizens have the right of abode in England.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The data center will include an Oncor substation, according to the tax agreement proposal, and ERCOT, the state’s power grid, has signed off on the development.—
Emily Holshouser,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Most of the money went to the nonprofit Viet America Society for a meals program for seniors and the disabled, but only a fraction was spent for that purpose, according to Do’s plea agreement in 2024.—
Tony Saavedra,
Oc Register,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
When NaphCare was first hired, the sheriff said the contractor would streamline services by consolidating health care across the county’s jails under a single provider and ensure that people in custody are properly evaluated and treated.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The sweeping changes, if passed by the state legislature, would consolidate all Medicaid billing under a fee-for-service model through which the state directly pays providers for services rendered.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But moments like this often compress complexity into a single narrative.—
Milan Shetti,
Fortune,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Because tight coils shrink and compress, density changes may be harder to notice at first.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
His advancing to a runoff against Fuller turns heads as his chances of flipping a solid Republican seat have another chance.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Just a solid, weighty dial to twist, and a ticking sound that gently marks the passing time.—
Francesca Krempa,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Compact.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compact. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
