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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of contraction
Prostaglandins cause uterine contractions during menstruation, which helps shed your uterine lining and can cause cramps.
—
Chantelle Lee, TIME, 15 Jan. 2025
The oscillating waves of norepinephrine that create these arterial contractions are critical to the glymphatic system’s operation.
—Tom Hawking, Popular Science, 8 Jan. 2025
Jessie Mazar squeezed the grab handle in her husband’s pickup and groaned as contractions struck her during the 90-minute drive from her home in rural northeastern California to the closest hospital with a maternity unit.
—Ronnie Cohen, Sacramento Bee, 8 Jan. 2025
More than 24 hours of labor — augmented with Pitocin, to make contractions stronger — had left a deep hollow above his forehead.
—Pamela Colloff, ProPublica, 29 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for contraction 
Chantelle Lee, TIME, 15 Jan. 2025
The oscillating waves of norepinephrine that create these arterial contractions are critical to the glymphatic system’s operation.
—Tom Hawking, Popular Science, 8 Jan. 2025
Jessie Mazar squeezed the grab handle in her husband’s pickup and groaned as contractions struck her during the 90-minute drive from her home in rural northeastern California to the closest hospital with a maternity unit.
—Ronnie Cohen, Sacramento Bee, 8 Jan. 2025
More than 24 hours of labor — augmented with Pitocin, to make contractions stronger — had left a deep hollow above his forehead.
—Pamela Colloff, ProPublica, 29 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for contraction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contraction
Noun
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Six compression packing cubes for your suitcase are also included.—
Kristin Braswell,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Jan. 2025
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The company explained the gross margin compression reflects things like incremental depreciation on new facilities, the impact of growth in newer products, and headwinds from the strong US dollar that’s hitting every multinational.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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These condensation trails form when planes fly through cold air, creating a cloud-like blanket that traps heat in the atmosphere.—
Phil De Luna,
Forbes,
15 Jan. 2025
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Frost or condensation buildup in the window—a little is to be expected, but entire window panes covered in ice or moisture could mean a draft.—
Rabekah Henderson,
Southern Living,
11 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Amid that dire economic squeeze, measures of pain have risen dramatically, including soaring drug use, suicides, and a doubling of mental health distress.—
John Yoo and John Shu,
Newsweek,
23 Jan. 2025
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Especially if one partner wants more intense PDA than a hand squeeze or a peck on the cheek.—
David Oliver,
USA TODAY,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
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For almost five years, the entertainment industry has been beset, first by the pandemic, then by the writers’ and actors’ strikes and the constriction that followed.—
Mary McNamara,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Jan. 2025
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Zambello mused on the topic of Violetta’s freedom and constrictions as a woman of her time.—
Duante Beddingfield,
Detroit Free Press,
18 Oct. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Contraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contraction. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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