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
That marks a second straight month of contraction, with PMI reading matching October and April 2025 levels.
—
Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 10 Mar. 2026
This will help increase the contraction in your hamstrings.
—Jakob Roze, Health, 9 Mar. 2026
And amid a sharp economic contraction in the late 1970s, protests paralysed the country.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 8 Mar. 2026
That’s consistent with an overall contraction in the pool’s size during the past several decades.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contraction
Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 10 Mar. 2026
This will help increase the contraction in your hamstrings.
—Jakob Roze, Health, 9 Mar. 2026
And amid a sharp economic contraction in the late 1970s, protests paralysed the country.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 8 Mar. 2026
That’s consistent with an overall contraction in the pool’s size during the past several decades.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contraction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contraction
Noun
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They’re made with the brand’s signature 360-degree smoothing panel design and gentle compression for comfy, easy-to-wear bottoms.—
Melony Forcier,
InStyle,
13 Mar. 2026
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Wanting to investigate further, Huang reached out to Jacopo Ferruzzi, a bioengineer at the University of Texas at Dallas who studies tissue mechanics, or how biological tissues respond and adapt to physical forces such as compression and tension.—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
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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Crosby criticized outsourcing, suggesting a key move for the city would be spending less on contracting.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
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The resolution is strongly worded but also filled with caveats — noting that the district will comply with contracting and procurement laws.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Moisture from condensation can also pool on cold sills in winter, feeding mold or mildew if it is not wiped away regularly.—
Shagun Khare,
The Spruce,
13 Mar. 2026
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But window frames often become moldy due to moisture from condensation.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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This time around, DeRosa has likely learned from Yankees manager Aaron Boone’s miscalculation and will call upon Hill in a squeeze.—
Johnny Flores Jr,
New York Times,
14 Mar. 2026
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Finish with a small squeeze of lemon juice to brighten the richness.—
Marianne Williams,
Southern Living,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This smoothing tank top is made from a soft material that form-fits to the body and offers compression without constriction.—
Jessie Quinn,
StyleCaster,
9 Mar. 2026
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Symptoms can include throat swelling, airway constriction, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.—
Ann Pietrangelo,
Verywell Health,
4 Mar. 2026
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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 Mar. 2026.
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