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 body uses calcium for various functions, including muscle contraction and signaling between nerves and the brain.
—
Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 20 Apr. 2026
In the intervening months, Hollywood had suffered an actors’ strike, a writers’ strike, a spiraling production exodus and a content contraction precipitated by the economics of streaming and the rise of creators on media platforms like YouTube and TikTok.
—Nick Morton, HollywoodReporter, 20 Apr. 2026
Their echo reverberates, the force of each choke conjuring a frame in painful contraction.
—Courtney Crowder, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2026
According to the researchers, the results suggest that the electrical shocks weren't just triggering muscular contractions but also causing pain for the lobsters, a pain that was diminished by the use of painkillers.
—Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contraction
Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 20 Apr. 2026
In the intervening months, Hollywood had suffered an actors’ strike, a writers’ strike, a spiraling production exodus and a content contraction precipitated by the economics of streaming and the rise of creators on media platforms like YouTube and TikTok.
—Nick Morton, HollywoodReporter, 20 Apr. 2026
Their echo reverberates, the force of each choke conjuring a frame in painful contraction.
—Courtney Crowder, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2026
According to the researchers, the results suggest that the electrical shocks weren't just triggering muscular contractions but also causing pain for the lobsters, a pain that was diminished by the use of painkillers.
—Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contraction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contraction
Noun
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One paramedic began chest compressions, pushing hard and steady on the patient’s chest.—
Ciara McCarthy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Apr. 2026
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Plus, the textured shell helps resist scuffs, and the interior is thoughtfully laid out with mesh pockets and compression straps to keep everything in place.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Concacaf is not the only confederation squeezing games into FIFA windows around the club calendar.—
Tamerra Griffin,
New York Times,
13 Mar. 2026
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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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With guidance from a composites specialist contracting for SpaceX, Hazan was able to precisely control resin ratios and structural integrity.—
Eric Hendrikx,
Robb Report,
22 Apr. 2026
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Roza also said the growth in district contracting over the past several years cannot be separated from the flood of temporary federal relief money schools received during the pandemic.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
18 Apr. 2026
Noun
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If the moisture appears on the outer side of the foil, the problem is likely condensation.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
23 Apr. 2026
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But this model, known as equilibrium condensation, has limitations.—
Javier Barbuzano,
Scientific American,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The Interior Department also instituted a new $100-per-person fee for non-Americans entering 11 of the most popular parks, a move to raise money for the parks but an extra squeeze for Canadians coming across the border and other international visitors.—
Justine McDaniel,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
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Light can be turned into heat, which can then be turned into motion, and the effect of that motion can be turned into a big squeeze.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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While Gold concurred that the ports will not be significantly impacted by the Iran war, the rising fuel costs due to the constriction of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz could eventually effect retailers and consumers.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
16 Apr. 2026
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Lungs Starting at around 9,000 feet, your lungs may begin to swell due to a constriction of blood vessels, which can cause fluid to leak and accumulate.—
Brad Stulberg,
Outside,
26 Mar. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Contraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contraction. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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