compressing 1 of 2

noun

as in compression

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compressing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of compress
1
as in condensing
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
2
as in shrinking
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 compressing
Verb
Laser fusion follows another route, compressing and heating a tiny fuel pellet so reactions occur before the fuel disperses. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026 Glaciers could re-form if carbon pollution declines substantially and temperatures drop enough to enable snowfall to build year-round, eventually compressing again into glacial ice, but that may take several hundred years, Menounos added. — ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026 The approach gives suppliers greater visibility while allowing brands to respond to fresher demand signals, potentially compressing the time from design to market by months. — Jessica Binns, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026 Needless to say, there’s a lot going on in Butler’s busy, occasionally dizzying script, though compressing the approximately 550-page source material was surely no easy task. — Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026 The rapid earnings growth also has the effect of compressing multiples. — Sarah Min, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026 Neither fixes a demand-capture channel when demand capture itself is what’s compressing. — Gaetano Romeo, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026 The result is an entire ocean’s worth of wind and waves all compressing together to get through what is a seriously small bottleneck. — Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026 This glacier is thousands of years old, our driver explains, formed from layer after layer of snow compressing into ice. — Uma Raja, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compressing
  1. compression
  2. condensing
  3. shrinking
  4. contracting
  5. squeezing
  6. decreasing
  7. lowering
  8. packing
Noun
  • Wellow compression socks' signature knee-high design offers graduated compression that's comfortable and stylish.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Nov. 2026
  • How elastocaloric cooling works Conventional air conditioners and refrigerators generally use vapor-compression systems, which circulate refrigerants through a cycle of compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of compression
Verb
  • Advance has the backing of major Republican figures and donors, but its shadowy approach has also faced criticism for condensing complicated policy into ballot measures that may have impacts that are more far-reaching than voters understand.
    — Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 8 Oct. 2026
  • As winds are forced up to 13,000 feet along the steep slopes of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, rapidly condensing air will squeeze out extra precipitation thanks to orographic lift.
    — Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of condensing
Verb
  • Even in an era of shrinking media presence, Hurley stepped up onto the dais after a recent practice and saw two dozen reporters, with a battery of cameras.
    — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Metroid's fate feels equally in the balance right now, and in a world where game studios are closing down and rivals like Microsoft are shrinking their focus to big-hitter franchises, Nintendo could easily let Metroid fall back into obscurity.
    — Daryl Baxter, Space.com, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of shrinking
Noun
  • With buyback volume contracting sharply, this mechanical support for earnings per share wanes, requiring companies to rely on actual profit expansion to drive per share earnings higher.
    — , CNBC, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The amendment covers public employment, education, contracting and administration.
    — Eric Henderson, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of contracting
Verb
  • For an octopus, squeezing into tight spaces can provide an escape route and access to prey that other marine creatures cannot easily reach.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Much of the growing opposition to data centers has come from rising electricity prices, which are squeezing Americans in a time of already high prices and cost of living.
    — Shannon Osaka, Washington Post, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of squeezing
Verb
  • Her priorities include lowering costs by expanding Medicaid, fully funded pre-kindergarten and decreasing property taxes in a sustainable way.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Black representation is already decreasing at City Hall, a concern among some Black community leaders.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of decreasing
Noun
  • Dangote Industries has yet to respond to enquiries from Semafor on whether the lowering of the minimum investment was a response to underwhelming participation among Kenyan retail investors.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 14 Oct. 2026
  • There was some preemptive dismissive talk about hair length, teen hysteria, the lowering of standards.
    — George Saunders, Vanity Fair, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of lowering
Verb
  • Imagine bringing up rabies to somebody who had just been bisected and then stuck back together with what, at least to him, looked like packing tape?
    — Téa Obreht, New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2026
  • On Friday, the order took effect removing some of the 50 percent tariffs imposed on Canadian forestry and agricultural goods, including packing boxes and crates, paper products, plywood sheets, and certain machinery and refrigeration equipment.
    — Kate Andrews, Washington Post, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of packing

Browse Nearby Words

compressible
compressing
compression
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Cite this Entry

“Compressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compressing. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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