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
Analysts expected a contraction.
—
Steve Kopack, NBC news, 11 Feb. 2026
MacLellan’s restructure comes after Paramount made significant layoffs last year amid major industry contraction.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2026
One patient might be given medications to speed up contractions; another might not.
—Darius Tahir, NPR, 10 Feb. 2026
Isometric exercises like wall sits or hand-grip contractions are particularly effective for reducing blood pressure, according to Higgins.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contraction
Steve Kopack, NBC news, 11 Feb. 2026
MacLellan’s restructure comes after Paramount made significant layoffs last year amid major industry contraction.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2026
One patient might be given medications to speed up contractions; another might not.
—Darius Tahir, NPR, 10 Feb. 2026
Isometric exercises like wall sits or hand-grip contractions are particularly effective for reducing blood pressure, according to Higgins.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contraction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contraction
Noun
-
The three compressions are Spanxsmooth Swim, which is light compression for barely there smoothing; Spanxshape Swim, medium compression for a little more tummy control and shaping, and Spanxsculpt Swim, strong compression that cinches and snatches.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The subtle compression feels supportive without being restrictive, making long flights and layovers way more comfortable.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Feb. 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
-
There’s a dusty cloud surrounding the central, contracting star, and that cloud is strongly suspected to be disk-like, with outflows and gaps in the dust in the two directions perpendicular to the disk.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Founded in 2015 by Cecilia Casagrande, the firm specializes in historic home design and renovations and offers general contracting and design-build services.—
Elizabeth Stamp,
Architectural Digest,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Cold storage facilities have long struggled to automate inventory management due to frost, airflow, condensation, and glare, all of which degrade conventional sensors and scanning systems.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
-
This essentially will lead to condensation in the air, forming clouds at the surface that could reduce visibility to less than a mile.—
Mary Wasson,
San Antonio Express-News,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Namely, the creamy remoulade that also stars Duke’s, plus briny capers, savory anchovies and Worcestershire sauce, zippy mustard, and a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten things up.—
Karla Walsh,
Southern Living,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Binoche plays a quite ordinary woman caught in the quite familiar squeeze of midlife.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Their mid-rise waistband means no tummy constriction, and the loose legs offer plenty of room to trounce around the terminal without feeling cramped.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Then came the explosion of streamers followed by a constriction.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Jan. 2026
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 17 Feb. 2026.
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