as in compression
the act or process of reducing the size or volume of something by or as if by pressing
most substances undergo contraction when cooled
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contraction
The fatigue, high liver enzymes, pain, indigestion, and muscle contractions were all red flags of a struggling liver.
—
Susan Horava, Health, 24 June 2025
Instead of collapsing into a singularity, the universe could bounce — reversing from contraction to expansion.
—Victoria Corless, Space.com, 24 June 2025
Misoprostol, which causes contractions that empty the uterus, has multiple medical uses, including treating ulcers.
—Liana Simstrom, NPR, 22 June 2025
The Institute of Supply Management Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) has fallen since March, also indicating a contraction.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for contraction
Susan Horava, Health, 24 June 2025
Instead of collapsing into a singularity, the universe could bounce — reversing from contraction to expansion.
—Victoria Corless, Space.com, 24 June 2025
Misoprostol, which causes contractions that empty the uterus, has multiple medical uses, including treating ulcers.
—Liana Simstrom, NPR, 22 June 2025
The Institute of Supply Management Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) has fallen since March, also indicating a contraction.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for contraction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contraction
Noun
-
United sent Heaven a Game Ready compression boot to wear at home to aid recovery, which Lisa filled with ice each day.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
-
Kyle Richards found the ultimate hack for staying organized and optimizing suitcase space while traveling: compression packing cubes.—
PEOPLE Deals Team,
People.com,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
Cloud seeding is when clouds are injected with a compound, like silver iodide, that act as condensation or ice nuclei in an attempt to help stimulate and boost rainfall or snowfall, according to Britannica.—
Joyce Orlando,
The Tennessean,
10 July 2025
-
The mesoscale conductive vortex essentially spun the remnants of a tropical system, causing significant ascent or rising motion to activate that moisture into condensation and precipitation in an efficient manner, according to Shepherd.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
Some use a full ounce of lime juice, others use just a squeeze, while a few eschew it altogether.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
11 July 2025
-
Folding legs instantly transform the car seat into a stroller with a simple squeeze of the handle.—
Chaunie Brusie,
Parents,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
But labor force growth was capped by constriction in several sectors.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
3 July 2025
-
There’s a satisfying constriction in these which feels immersive to me as a reader, and as a writer affords the space to fixate on minutia that might not be appropriate in something more expansive.—
Jane Ciabattari
June 24,
Literary Hub,
24 June 2025
Video
On Contractions of Multiple Words
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Cite this Entry
“Contraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contraction. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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