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 couple recounted pulling into the parking lot at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles as Bellisario started to experience intense contractions.
—
Ariana Quihuiz, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
That said, this contraction will not be evenly distributed.
—Peter Bendor-Samuel, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Sometimes communication requires contraction, and that may mean just not saying it at all.
—Glenn Kurlander, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2026
The development is a stunning contraction of what appeared to be one of Connecticut’s most promising restaurant businesses just two years ago.
—Mark Maglio, Hartford Courant, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contraction
Ariana Quihuiz, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
That said, this contraction will not be evenly distributed.
—Peter Bendor-Samuel, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Sometimes communication requires contraction, and that may mean just not saying it at all.
—Glenn Kurlander, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2026
The development is a stunning contraction of what appeared to be one of Connecticut’s most promising restaurant businesses just two years ago.
—Mark Maglio, Hartford Courant, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contraction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contraction
Noun
-
Shares are battling multiple compression as investors grow less willing to pay a premium for each dollar of earnings.—
Natasha Abellard,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
-
This is precisely what has occurred with SAP—multiple compression.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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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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Gilbert argues the change simply opens up the position to candidates with experience in government contracting, budgeting and other fiscal matters that are part of an inspector general’s purview.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The company entered the specialty construction space by acquiring Staco, a fast-growing local electrical contracting firm, last September, according to a news release.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Garages are also more prone to moisture fluctuations, which can cause condensation and, in turn, lead to rusting or mold growth.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Jan. 2026
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Covering your windows properly helps maintain a more stable indoor temperature, minimizing condensation buildup on windows.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Costs and revenue squeeze Pressure on both costs and revenues remains the sector’s major obstacle.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
8 Jan. 2026
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To balance the flavor, add a squeeze of lemon juice.—
Sohaib Imtiaz,
Verywell Health,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Then came the explosion of streamers followed by a constriction.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Jan. 2026
-
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
Video
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 1 Feb. 2026.
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