1
as in condenses
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shrinks
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
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Recent Examples of compresses
In operation, the actuator compresses and holds the Ni-Ti tubes, causing the material to heat up.
—
IEEE Spectrum, 5 Feb. 2026
Their terahertz microscope compresses long terahertz waves into a microscopic spot.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Feb. 2026
Video inflates thought; reading compresses it.
—Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
This high pressure compresses the air in the atmosphere and leads to very warm temperatures for this time of year.
—Troy Bridges, CBS News, 23 Dec. 2025
The condition develops when something, like swelling of the tissues around the nerve, compresses the nerve that runs through the space between your wrist bones.
—Ruth Jessen Hickman, Health, 8 Dec. 2025
This interaction compresses the plasma into a dense sheet, which then slams into smaller gas clumps, resulting in a cosmic maelstrom that amplifies magnetic field strengths far beyond what a single shock could achieve — matching the unexpectedly strong values seen in observations.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 21 Nov. 2025
Tight hip flexors pull your pelvis forward into an anterior tilt, forcing your back into an arch that compresses your lumbar spine and stresses low-back muscles.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 17 Nov. 2025
The Cosmic Pathway compresses 13 billion years of history into a single 360-foot-long ramp.
—Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 8 Nov. 2025
IEEE Spectrum, 5 Feb. 2026
Their terahertz microscope compresses long terahertz waves into a microscopic spot.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Feb. 2026
Video inflates thought; reading compresses it.
—Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
This high pressure compresses the air in the atmosphere and leads to very warm temperatures for this time of year.
—Troy Bridges, CBS News, 23 Dec. 2025
The condition develops when something, like swelling of the tissues around the nerve, compresses the nerve that runs through the space between your wrist bones.
—Ruth Jessen Hickman, Health, 8 Dec. 2025
This interaction compresses the plasma into a dense sheet, which then slams into smaller gas clumps, resulting in a cosmic maelstrom that amplifies magnetic field strengths far beyond what a single shock could achieve — matching the unexpectedly strong values seen in observations.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 21 Nov. 2025
Tight hip flexors pull your pelvis forward into an anterior tilt, forcing your back into an arch that compresses your lumbar spine and stresses low-back muscles.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 17 Nov. 2025
The Cosmic Pathway compresses 13 billion years of history into a single 360-foot-long ramp.
—Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 8 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compresses
Verb
-
This essentially condenses the air, forming clouds at the surface that could reduce visibility to less than a mile.—
Newsroom Meteorologist,
Austin American Statesman,
10 Feb. 2026
-
That rising air cools, and water vapor condenses.—
Andrea Thompson,
Scientific American,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As the pool of qualified commercial drivers shrinks, the cost of transporting goods across the state will inevitably rise.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Afterward, Boone said that all of his players are free to challenge for now, but don’t be surprised if that list shrinks once spring training games end.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
All this requires a lot of power, which puts a strain on the grid and squeezes local resources.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Instead, in order to protect their identities, their words are read aloud during re-enactments by powerhouse actresses such as Emma Thompson (who squeezes herself beneath an axle) and Kate Dickie (performing, as the nurse, on all fours on Kenmure Street itself).—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
That’s because the physical exertion of shoveling increases heart rate and blood pressure, while at the same time the cold constricts blood vessels–a double whammy of stressors.—
Amy Feldman,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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Breathing in cold air constricts blood vessels, which elevates blood pressure and narrows coronary arteries, increasing the risk of cardiac strain.—
Manahil Ahmad,
The Providence Journal,
25 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Compresses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compresses. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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