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.

You pay more, compress margins and pass much of the additional cost on to customers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

Increased scrutiny of stock-based compensation typically intensifies as multiples compress and market fears mount, Fish told MarketWatch via email.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 21, 2026

Real estate is the latest industry where investors are assessing whether AI will hollow out labor-intensive business models and compress margins at companies that sell expertise at high prices.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026

Higher expenses will compress margins in the near term, the analysts noted, but Akamai continues to announce large compute deals that affirm its relevance in the cloud-services market.

From Barron's • Feb. 20, 2026

Several seconds pass with him holding the bottle to his face like a compress, his eyes still closed, the sun streaming down on him like he’s being chosen.

From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson

Vocabulary lists containing compress

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