compress

[kuhm-pres, kom-pres] / kəmˈprɛs, ˈkɒm prɛs /

VERB

compact, condense

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abbreviate constrict cram restrict shorten shrink squeeze wrap

STRONG

abridge abstract bind coagulate concentrate consolidate contract cramp crowd crush decrease dehydrate epitomize narrow pack press ram reduce shrivel squash stuff summarize syncopate telescope tighten wedge

WEAK

boil down densen densify force into space make brief press together

Antonyms

STRONGEST

amplify enlarge expand free grow increase lengthen let go open release

STRONG

add allow disperse extend loose loosen raise strengthen uncompress untie unwrinkle

WEAK

blow up fill stretch uncondense

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“Supersonic travel will compress the world in a way we haven’t seen since the Jet Age,” says NYU’s Karaburun.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

Margins are likely to compress in the coming few quarters because of the cost of introducing new cutting-edge chip-making in its factories.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026

This provided direct evidence of costal aspiration breathing, where muscles between the ribs expand and compress the chest cavity to pull air into the lungs.

From Science Daily • Apr. 23, 2026

You cannot compress a barrel of oil with an algorithm.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

She seemed to compress down into an even smaller version of herself so that she looked like an angry tree stump with short stubby branches for arms.

From "Dead End in Norvelt" by Jack Gantos

Vocabulary lists containing compress

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Vocabulary Video Contest (2013) - List 1

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