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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of contraction
Worse still, there was a negative correlation for maximal contractions against an immoveable force: higher vitamin D levels were associated with smaller max force.
—
Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 22 Jan. 2025
All agreed that pre-financing was getting more challenging than ever, especially in light of wider market contractions making such pre-financing more important than ever.
—Ben Croll, Variety, 13 Jan. 2025
The second drug, misoprostol, is taken 24 to 48 hours later and causes contractions similar to a miscarriage.
—Pam Belluck, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
The challenge comes from doing a ton of repetitions of these tiny contractions—sometimes for minutes at a time.
—Jennifer Heimlich, SELF, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for contraction 
Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 22 Jan. 2025
All agreed that pre-financing was getting more challenging than ever, especially in light of wider market contractions making such pre-financing more important than ever.
—Ben Croll, Variety, 13 Jan. 2025
The second drug, misoprostol, is taken 24 to 48 hours later and causes contractions similar to a miscarriage.
—Pam Belluck, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
The challenge comes from doing a ton of repetitions of these tiny contractions—sometimes for minutes at a time.
—Jennifer Heimlich, SELF, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for contraction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contraction
Noun
-
Unfortunately, clothes can take up a lot of unnecessary room: This is where compression packing cubes come in handy.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Jan. 2025
-
Another mid-stage clinical trial of about 200 patients with a type of nerve compression that causes sciatica also found suzetrigine significantly reduced pain.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
31 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Frost aside, condensation is one of the main threats to storing your vehicle outside and despite being in a heated garage with the roof off and the windows folded down, the VX220 often succumbed to a moldy, and sometimes wet, interior.—
Matthew MacConnell,
Forbes,
14 Jan. 2025
-
Also found: rust, beaded condensation and peeling caulk.—
Mike Snider,
USA TODAY,
12 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The two shared a celebratory squeeze amid the post-game excitement before Taylor pulled her beau in for a smooch.—
Barbara A. Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Jan. 2025
-
President Trump's decision to start withdrawing the U.S. from the World Health Organization puts global health programs in a serious financial squeeze just as disease threats are multiplying.—
Maya Goldman,
Axios,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
These constrictions are what pumped the CSF through the glymphatic system, essentially powering its waste-draining process.—
Michael Franco,
New Atlas,
15 Jan. 2025
-
Peak norepinephrine levels in the brains of the Zolpidem mice were some 50% lower than in the control group, and arterial constrictions were also less pronounced.—
Tom Hawking,
Popular Science,
8 Jan. 2025
Video
On Contractions of Multiple Words
You all would not have guessed some of these
Thesaurus Entries Near contraction
Cite this Entry
“Contraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contraction. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share