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
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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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Recent Examples of compresses
The back line compresses space, the midfield disrupts passing lanes and Ferree has commanded his box with composure beyond his years.
—
Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
Most have a double-zipper system, with one zipper to close the cube and a second zipper that compresses it to a fraction of its full size.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
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
Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
Most have a double-zipper system, with one zipper to close the cube and a second zipper that compresses it to a fraction of its full size.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compresses
Verb
-
The network does not air the BAFTAs live, but edits and condenses the three-hour show into a two-hour program to be broadcast later.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Without good ventilation, the warm steam cools and condenses on walls, floors, and other surfaces.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That number shrinks to 56th in round two, 38th in round three and third in the final round.—
Justin Ray,
New York Times,
15 Mar. 2026
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As the number of particles increases, the overlap between the prepared input state and the true ground state shrinks exponentially.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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It also gets compressed, which squeezes the air and puts even more pressure on it, which heats it up.—
Zoe Mintz,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
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As the Iran conflict disrupts energy markets and squeezes jet-fuel supplies, there is a concern that airfares could rise in the weeks ahead.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The psychic and physical toll of white supremacy, sustained cruelty, imprisonment, famine, poverty, depression, grief, or illness constricts one’s depth of imagination and movement.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Feb. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Compresses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compresses. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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