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
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
-
Six compression packing cubes for your suitcase are also included.—
Kristin Braswell,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Jan. 2025
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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 5 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share