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 measure has been below 50, which indicates contraction, for 10 straight months.
—
Reade Pickert Bloomberg, Arkansas Online, 6 Jan. 2026
And Hollywood’s contraction, with its mass unemployment, affects everything here from schools to restaurants to small businesses.
—Lauren Bans, Vulture, 5 Jan. 2026
These issues also saw nearby states such as Maryland and Virginia also pulled toward contraction.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 2 Jan. 2026
Van der Velden understands why the idea of a synthetic performer unsettled people, especially in a business already raw from layoffs, strikes and contraction.
—Josh Rottenberg, Twin Cities, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contraction
Reade Pickert Bloomberg, Arkansas Online, 6 Jan. 2026
And Hollywood’s contraction, with its mass unemployment, affects everything here from schools to restaurants to small businesses.
—Lauren Bans, Vulture, 5 Jan. 2026
These issues also saw nearby states such as Maryland and Virginia also pulled toward contraction.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 2 Jan. 2026
Van der Velden understands why the idea of a synthetic performer unsettled people, especially in a business already raw from layoffs, strikes and contraction.
—Josh Rottenberg, Twin Cities, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contraction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contraction
Noun
-
This impressive deal only applies to the six-piece set, which includes five compression packing cubes and one drawstring bag in select colors.—
Emily Belfiore,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Shortly after, viewers see chest compressions being performed on Jo as Link (Chris Carmack) prays in a church surrounded by candles.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 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
-
Pearson, an ex-NYPD inspector who was empowered by Adams to exercise significant sway over the city’s law enforcement and contracting operations, hasn’t furnished any text messages in response to discovery demands, Scola wrote.—
Chris Sommerfeldt,
New York Daily News,
6 Jan. 2026
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This month, the number of those businesses that are certified for preference in state contracting dropped again, extending a 17-month downward trend.—
Center Square,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
There's also an air condensation mechanism that produces a few liters of potable water daily, along with a stable Wi-Fi connection.—
Maryna Holovnova,
New Atlas,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The dew or condensation on the ground, vegetation, and surfaces like your car will subsequently freeze.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Costs and revenue squeeze Pressure on both costs and revenues remains the sector’s major obstacle.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
8 Jan. 2026
-
To balance the flavor, add a squeeze of lemon juice.—
Sohaib Imtiaz,
Verywell Health,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The constriction leads to spikes in blood pressure and heightens a diabetic person’s risk of heart disease.—
Jyoti Madhusoodanan,
Scientific American,
16 Dec. 2025
-
These kinds of vessels are, then, more prone to constriction, upping your risk for a blockage.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
7 Nov. 2025
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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 11 Jan. 2026.
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