Synonyms of contraction

contraction

noun

kən-ˈtrak-shən 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• compression
• squeezing
• contracting
• condensing
• condensation
• squeeze
• constriction
• consolidation
• compaction
• telescoping
• constricting
• concentration
• compacting
• curtailment
• shortening
• abbreviation
• abridgment
• decreasing
• streamlining
• simplification
• lessening
• diminishment

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• expansion
• dispersion
• decompression
• inflation
• scattering
• dissipation
• dilation
• swelling
• distension

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of contraction

That role now means navigating industry contraction and uncertainty and ensuring Hollywood producers keep coming to Ontario for tax credits, local talent and varied locations. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026

Private schools and developers have expressed strong interest in some of the valuable South Florida land that might free up as a result of the public school system’s contraction. — Austin Horn, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026

Preceded by the Best of Beauty-winning P-Tiox Serum, this moisturizer uses the same tripeptide (acetyl hexapeptide-8), which may help reduce the appearance of expression lines by limiting the muscle contractions that contribute to them. — Sheryl George, Allure, 5 Oct. 2026

This has led to a shortage of people to operate ferries and other transportation, worsening economic contraction on remote islands. — Lefteris Pitarakis, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026

Video

On Contractions of Multiple Words

Everyone knows contractions like didn't and would've, but what about more complicated ones? Editor Serenity Carr takes a look at situations where as many as five words can be contracted at the same time.

Transcript:

You're probably familiar with regular contractions made with two words like you'd and didn't. And you've probably even used contractions with three words like she'd've and wouldn't've. I'd've thought they'd've been familiar to you and you wouldn't've been surprised to hear them.

But can we contract more than three words? More than four? You'dn't've guessed they're possible, but they are. Many are dialectal or regional. Y'all'll've heard them from Southerners in places like Texas or Georgia, where they'dn't've thought twice about using them. We could've guessed at more, but at some point y'all'dn't've been able to understand them anyway.