COMPRESSED Synonyms: 114 Similar and Opposite Words

compressed 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of compressed

as in compacted

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compressed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of compress

as in condensed

to reduce in size or volume by or as if by pressing parts or members together a science textbook that compresses a lot of information about human reproduction into a few short chapters

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in shrank

to become smaller in size or volume through the drawing together of particles of matter the substance can compress under pressure

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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 compressed

Adjective

Kerry McCoy’s guitar juices up a mid-song gallop by abruptly pivoting from big and noisy to compressed and snarling; at the climax, everything cuts out for a second to spotlight a Daniel Tracy drum fill. — Patrick Lyons, Pitchfork, 13 Oct. 2026 The standout pairing is the Black Cardamom cocktail, smoky with single malt and mezcal, next to Sandhu's nihari reworked with compressed shank meat. — Karina Acharya, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026

Verb

They are made from the partial remains of tens and sometimes hundreds of thousands of individuals’ cremated remains that have been pulverized into fine ash before being compressed into sculptures. — Mimi Hanaoka, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2026 Since each one is dried and compressed, the 48-sponge stack fits in the palm of my hand (and inside my kitchen drawer, too). — Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for compressed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for compressed

Adjective

National Geographic notes that dandelion roots can loosen compacted ground, improving aeration and reducing erosion.

— Ryan Brennan May 1, Miami Herald, 1 May 2026

Definition of compacted

Verb

This conversation has been condensed, edited, and translated.

— Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 27 Oct. 2026
Finally, the wind seemed to permanently lie down, though storm clouds still haunted the horizon, forcing the sunset to squeeze beneath them, its rays condensed into a lurid, painterly slash.

— Heidi Julavits, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of condensed

Verb

Whether DeSantis’ redistricting effort delivers for Republicans Florida’s new congressional maps shrunk the number of Democratic-leaning seats from eight to four.

— Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2026
The actuators push a piston with pressurized oil, much like the arm of an excavator, only shrunk down.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of shrank

Adjective

O’Brien’s Ted Keegan is a father, farmer and military veteran — a hardened man who’s spent much of his life following orders and keeping secrets.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
And yet, for a millennia after the fall of Rome, the world largely forgot about concrete, until, in the 18th century, an English mason found that mixing limestone and clay could form a paste that hardened underwater.

— Sara Herschander, Vox, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of hardened

Verb

Apple has already implemented a series of price hikes on some of its hardware offerings due to rising memory costs, but margins can still be squeezed if the full increase wasn't passed through.

— Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 1 Nov. 2026
But in Israel at least, creatives have been stymied in recent years by a plethora of measures that have left them squeezed between censorship at home and international boycotts.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of squeezed

Verb

Finally, though our downtime isn’t constricted by a 12+ hour work day—in many cases, at least—our attention has been fracked by companies that prefer to bleed us slow.

— Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 30 Oct. 2026
Institutional reforms, including the professionalization of government bureaucracies at the federal and local levels, slowly constricted these political machines until the last holdout in Chicago succumbed by the late 1970s.

— Kenneth Greene, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of constricted

Adjective

His comments are in stark contrast to some of the more tempered statements corporate CEOs have made about AI replacing human employees.

— Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
Councilmember Jose Preciado took a more tempered view on the state’s position, and said the financing question should be separated from broader concerns about the project’s design.

— Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 May 2026

Definition of tempered

Verb

That’s why the milk-chocolate Boo Bar is packed with Pop Rocks and potato chips.

— Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
Game three meant the series shifted to Tampa Bay, and Tropicana Field was packed to the rafters with Rays fans and a sizable contingent of Brewers supporters.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of packed

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“Compressed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compressed. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of compressed

adjective

verb

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