1
as in hard
having a consistency that does not easily yield to pressure
a mattress with a compact foam core
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2
as in packed
having little space between items or parts
compact soil that should provide good support for the plant
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3
as in concise
marked by the use of few words to convey much information or meaning
compact prose without a single wasted word
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1
as in treaty
a formal agreement between two or more nations or peoples
a five-nation compact to control drug traffic
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2
as in agreement
an arrangement about action to be taken
the two made a compact never to artificially prolong the other's life in the event of incapacitating illness or injury
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1
as in to consolidate
to bring (something) to a central point or under a single control
the media giant decided to compact all of its far-flung operations onto a single site
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2
as in to compress
to reduce in size or volume by or as if by pressing parts or members together
compact the snow into a tight ball for throwing
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of compact
Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2025
For her first real estate purchase, the young owner of this compact, 300-square-foot apartment wanted all the amenities of a true home.
—Annabelle Dufraigne, Architectural Digest, 8 Feb. 2025
David Newcomb, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2025
This sleek pink compact will always have a spot in my bag.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 14 Jan. 2025
Ars Technica, 10 Jan. 2025
Inside a white dwarf, electrons can only be crushed together so much before quantum mechanical effects prevent them from being compacted any further.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for compact 
Adjective
For backpacking, prioritize ultra-lightweight and compact options, such as inflatable models, which can be easily stowed in a backpack without adding notable weight or bulk.
—Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2025
For her first real estate purchase, the young owner of this compact, 300-square-foot apartment wanted all the amenities of a true home.
—Annabelle Dufraigne, Architectural Digest, 8 Feb. 2025
Noun
As a result, no interstate compact exists to manage the water in the Ogallala.
—David Newcomb, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2025
This sleek pink compact will always have a spot in my bag.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
Once the skip at the reception area is full, the waste is emptied into the landfill, where it is then covered with inert material to minimise the release of gases or liquids and then compacted.
—Ars Technica, 10 Jan. 2025
Inside a white dwarf, electrons can only be crushed together so much before quantum mechanical effects prevent them from being compacted any further.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for compact
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compact
Adjective
-
Sandoval has received some pay bumps, including a temporary $10,000-a-year bonus for Hawaii special education teachers designed to alleviate shortages in that and other hard-to-staff areas.—
Alia Wong,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2023
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Whether those numbers are an overstatement, or possibly an understatement, is hard to say.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes,
13 Feb. 2023
Adjective
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The largely 20- and 30-something audience was quite lovely and respectful toward the band and toward other audience members, giving folks room to breathe and enjoy themselves despite the packed main floor.—
Britt Julious,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2025
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In a packed facility at The Ranch at Laguna Beach, 400 people attended Stewart’s service on Jan. 18, many from the volleyball community.—
Richard Dunn,
Orange County Register,
6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Another area of potential improvement is customization to align with a provider's writing style — concise versus verbose — or way of thinking.—
Erin Brodwin,
Axios,
3 Feb. 2025
-
Grab an Excel spreadsheet and create a concise budget that includes savings.—
Essence,
Essence,
1 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Flashback: Then-President Jimmy Carter signed treaties with Panama's leader in 1977 for the U.S. to gradually cede control of the canal, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.—
Sareen Habeshian,
Axios,
6 Feb. 2025
-
Like Israel, the U.S. is not a party to the international treaty that established the ICC.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA TODAY,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The City Council approved several amendments to the Community Master Plan as well as a new agreement with developer Festival Ranch North, LLC, since the original one expired.—
Alexandra Hardle,
The Arizona Republic,
16 Feb. 2025
-
Hoyer is in the final year of his own contract, and there is a potential lockout looming once the collective bargaining agreement expires after the 2026 season.—
Patrick Mooney,
The Athletic,
15 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The Green New Deal crowd pushes them to consolidate power.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
5 Feb. 2025
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The district is already in the process of consolidating some schools and planning for future renovations and replacements.—
Alissa Widman Neese,
Axios,
4 Feb. 2025
Verb
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In microgravity, the brain moves to the top of the skull and compresses an area responsible for absorbing cerebrospinal fluid, leading to a swelling of brain cavities and potentially to an increase in intracranial pressure.—
Dhruv Khullar,
The New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2025
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Because South Florida is built on layers of sand and porous limestone, the authors reasoned that these vibrations could have compressed or rearranged sand – much like shaking ground coffee in a tin creates more space.—
Denise Hruby,
Miami Herald,
14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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For his next attempt, Stephon Castle nabbed a solid hammer slam off an alley-oop look.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
16 Feb. 2025
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Many of them can do a solid imitation of the Dikembe Mutombo finger wag.—
Daniel Brown,
The Athletic,
16 Feb. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Compact.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compact. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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