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
Since the economy returned to growth in the latest quarter, the country narrowly avoided a technical recession, which is two straight quarters of contraction.
—
ABC News, 15 Feb. 2026
That gravitational pull extended through much of Xi Jinping's first five-year term, when China still projected the promise of profits and opportunity more than political constraint and economic contraction.
—Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
Thanks to housing crises in big cities, many aspiring writers can’t afford rooms of their own, and contractions in the media industry have made writing as a profession less tractable.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 13 Feb. 2026
Cuba faces acute challenges including food security, energy shortages, rising disease rates and ongoing economic contraction.
—Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contraction
ABC News, 15 Feb. 2026
That gravitational pull extended through much of Xi Jinping's first five-year term, when China still projected the promise of profits and opportunity more than political constraint and economic contraction.
—Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
Thanks to housing crises in big cities, many aspiring writers can’t afford rooms of their own, and contractions in the media industry have made writing as a profession less tractable.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 13 Feb. 2026
Cuba faces acute challenges including food security, energy shortages, rising disease rates and ongoing economic contraction.
—Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contraction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contraction
Noun
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Researchers have become successful in generating electricity from compression using a flexible nylon-film device.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The high-compression fabric is sculpting without digging into skin, and the generous waistband keeps everything in place during particularly bendy yoga classes.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Hassan’s team instead squeezed a photon’s intensity and demonstrated real-time control, fluctuating between intensity and phase-squeezing by adjusting the silica’s position relative to the beams.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Fullerton Fire Department brought its ambulance services in-house this month after more than 20 years of contracting with a private ambulance transport service.—
Mona Darwish,
Oc Register,
25 Feb. 2026
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Michael Dominick has spent over a decade working in aviation MRO, defense contracting, and industrial operations.—
William Jones,
Miami Herald,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There are telltale signs that there's too much moisture in your house, from condensation to unpleasant odors.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
20 Feb. 2026
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Cold storage facilities have long struggled to automate inventory management due to frost, airflow, condensation, and glare, all of which degrade conventional sensors and scanning systems.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Across the industry there has been a squeeze on commissioning, which has a ripple effect.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
22 Feb. 2026
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Finish like a pro Finishing with balsamic glaze, a squeeze of lemon juice, or apple cider vinegar immediately when the sprouts come out of the oven is a nice way to wake up and brighten the dish.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Their mid-rise waistband means no tummy constriction, and the loose legs offer plenty of room to trounce around the terminal without feeling cramped.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Then came the explosion of streamers followed by a constriction.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Jan. 2026
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 27 Feb. 2026.
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