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 superheroes run back to the ship, where Sue starts to have contractions.
—
Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 2 Aug. 2025
Ultimately, the second-quarter growth undid the first quarter’s contraction, though economic growth slowed in the first half of the year.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2025
While the industry churn rate has held steady at -12%, Charter’s contraction was far less dramatic at -5%.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 28 July 2025
Alf — a contraction of the designer’s first and last names — is a unisex line that aims to bring some fresh energy into the segment with tongue-in-cheek symbols and unexpected materials, like her baby head rings sprouting tufts of colorful fake fur.
—Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contraction
Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 2 Aug. 2025
Ultimately, the second-quarter growth undid the first quarter’s contraction, though economic growth slowed in the first half of the year.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2025
While the industry churn rate has held steady at -12%, Charter’s contraction was far less dramatic at -5%.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 28 July 2025
Alf — a contraction of the designer’s first and last names — is a unisex line that aims to bring some fresh energy into the segment with tongue-in-cheek symbols and unexpected materials, like her baby head rings sprouting tufts of colorful fake fur.
—Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contraction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contraction
Noun
-
End-stage prostate cancer may spread to the spine, causing compression of the nerves that affect the limbs.—
Carrie Madormo,
Health,
3 Aug. 2025
-
After Smith, a former lifeguard for the city, performed chest compressions, the 25-year-old was transported to a local hospital and is expected to fully recover, CBS News reported.—
Sam Gillette,
People.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
As the air rises and cools, water vapor condenses into a cumulus-type cloud, with smoke, ash, and vapor particles acting as condensation nuclei, according to an explainer on NASA’s website exploring their evolution.—
Brandi D. Addison,
AZCentral.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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Now it's completed, testing will continue for condensation, insulation performance and other concerns such as longevity, using integrated sensors.—
Adam Williams
July 25,
New Atlas,
25 July 2025
Noun
-
Fed’s dilemma: inflation, growth, and political pressure This squeeze comes at a time when the Federal Reserve is under immense political pressure to lower interest rates, with President Trump and his allies calling for easier money to offset the effects of new tariffs and support flagging markets.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
4 Aug. 2025
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My recipe became potatoes, dressed not only with salt and pepper while still a little warm, but also a drizzle of good extra-virgin olive oil and squeeze of lemon juice.—
Anne Byrn,
Southern Living,
2 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Yet Fuller found her own identity—as a woman and a writer—to be a source of confusion, and sometimes constriction.—
James Marcus,
New Yorker,
2 June 2025
-
But labor force growth was capped by constriction in several sectors.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
3 July 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Contraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contraction. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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