compress
1 of 2verb
transitive verb
intransitive verb
compress
2 of 2noun
Synonyms
Verb
- capsule
- capsulize
- collapse
- compact
- condense
- constrict
- constringe
- contract
- narrow (down)
- squeeze
- telescope
Example Sentences
Rebecca Cairns, CNN, 1 Aug. 2022 Phillips is wearing a faja, a waist-trainer-like garment worn to compress the midsection and lift the buttocks. New York Times, 11 May 2022 The amount of weight on the bed determines how much the mattress will compress and cradle your body. Jamie Kim, Good Housekeeping, 28 Apr. 2022 The date provided Thursday reflects the progress crews have made in recent months, most notably the final post-tensioning of nearly 50 miles of new cable, which compress the span of the bridge to strengthen the concrete, The Seattle Times reports. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 18 Aug. 2022 Either persistently high inflation or a return to 2%-plus real rates would compress multiples, making stocks' dive much faster and steeper. Shawn Tully, Fortune, 26 May 2022 For this last step, Midleton will begin using mechanical vapor recompression technology to capture, compress and reuse waste heat. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 16 June 2022 The act of squeezing through a woman’s birth canal can compress a stillborn baby’s chest cavity and lungs, and once the baby is out of the canal, the lungs expand and can take in air, Davis said. Cory Shaffer, cleveland, 12 June 2022 Sonia Yanes focused on adaptive design, paying attention to details that were both functional and fashionable, like buttonhole pleats that compress and release. Vogue, 23 May 2022 The Indianapolis Star, 20 July 2022 So one way to combat the pain is to relieve that tension by applying a hot or cold compress to your head, neck, or shoulders. Carly Vandergriendt, SELF, 19 May 2022 Apply a cold compress for 10 minutes to reduce the swelling and itching. Cierra Britten, The Enquirer, 28 June 2022 The welcoming staff greets me with a cold compress and tea elixir, both seeped in star anise, as a sensory pick-me-up after the hour-long drive from Cancun airport. Cori Murray, Essence, 11 May 2022 Other ways to treat morning headaches caused by tension include a warm or cold compress to ease the pain, a warm shower to relax tense muscles, or a massage to loosen trigger points. Rebecca Joy Stanborough, SELF, 19 Apr. 2022 Apply a cold compress or ice pack to your head or neck. Abigail Libers, SELF, 2 Mar. 2022 The man’s son, his primary caregiver, puts drops in his mouth, then dips a cold compress in water, placing it on his forehead. Ken Budd, Anchorage Daily News, 12 Dec. 2021 Applying a cool compress can help numb the pain in your head, Dr. Csere says. Sara Gaynes Levy, SELF, 17 Nov. 2021 See More Word History
Verb
Middle English, from Late Latin compressare to press hard, frequentative of Latin comprimere to compress, from com- + premere to press — more at press
Noun
Middle French compresse, from compresser to compress, from Late Latin compressare
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun
1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
compress 1 of 2
verb
compress
2 of 2noun
Medical Definition
compress 1 of 2
transitive verb
compress
2 of 2noun
compress
verb
Synonyms & Similar Words
- condense
- squeeze
- consolidate
- constrict
- cram
- capsule
- pack
- compact
- simplify
- collapse
- capsulize
- shorten
- telescope
- constringe
- narrow (down)
- contract
- shrink
- curtail
- abridge
- abbreviate
- downsize
- boil down
- decrease
- jam-pack
- jam
- streamline
- concentrate
- crowd
- diminish
- lessen
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- decompress
- expand
- open
- disperse
- dilate
- dissipate
- outspread
- scatter
- inflate
- distend
- swell
- outstretch
Synonyms & Similar Words
- shrink
- condense
- constrict
- decrease
- collapse
- flatten
- contract
- withdraw
- diminish
- dry up
- lessen
- shrivel
- wither
- wilt
- deflate
- retreat
- recede
- dwindle
- abate
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- expand
- increase
- swell
- grow
- accumulate
- inflate
- balloon
- snowball
- puff (up)
- balloon
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of compress are condense, constrict, contract, deflate, and shrink. While all these words mean "to decrease in bulk or volume," compress implies a pressing into a small compass and definite shape usually against resistance.
While the synonyms condense and compress are close in meaning, condense implies a reducing of something homogeneous to greater compactness without significant loss of content.
The words constrict and compress can be used in similar contexts, but constrict implies a tightening that reduces diameter.
While in some cases nearly identical to compress, contract applies to a drawing together of surfaces or particles or a reduction of area or length.
Although the words deflate and compress have much in common, deflate implies a contracting by reducing the internal pressure of contained air or gas.
In some situations, the words shrink and compress are roughly equivalent. However, shrink implies a contracting or a loss of material and stresses a falling short of original dimensions.