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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Recent Examples of contraction
The au Jibun Bank Japan Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index climbed to 49.6 in December, coming in slightly above November’s reading of 49.0 and marking the softest contraction in three months.
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Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 29 Dec. 2024
But any woman will tell you that even contractions are necessary for birth.
—NBC News, 22 Dec. 2024
The contraction is also the result of the slowdown in key markets such as China and Germany, and the difficulties in securing credit, which thwart new investments.
—Luisa Zargani, WWD, 17 Dec. 2024
Driven by drought and other rising costs, the contraction is expected to continue through 2025 as dry conditions persist.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN, 15 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for contraction 
Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 29 Dec. 2024
But any woman will tell you that even contractions are necessary for birth.
—NBC News, 22 Dec. 2024
The contraction is also the result of the slowdown in key markets such as China and Germany, and the difficulties in securing credit, which thwart new investments.
—Luisa Zargani, WWD, 17 Dec. 2024
Driven by drought and other rising costs, the contraction is expected to continue through 2025 as dry conditions persist.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN, 15 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for contraction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contraction
Noun
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Moore had surgery for a spinal compression on Tuesday, three days earlier.Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 13 Jan. 2025
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Wearing compression stockings, exercising regularly, protecting your skin from the sun, and taking frequent movement breaks throughout the day can all help reduce your risk.Laura Schober, Health, 12 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Listeria can travel through condensation onto food products.Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2025
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This zesty condensation of an 18-volume, 1300-page epic is a model of streamlining, even if the narrative’s many tantalizing threads, emotions and complications could stand to be fleshed out even more.Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Modern spins sometimes sneak in diced bacon or swap whole oysters for chopped, but the classic remains a staple, especially at Southern brunches where a squeeze of lemon finishes the indulgence.Jenn Rice, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
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Though renters insurance costs a fraction of homeowners insurance, Larry Gross, executive director of the Los Angeles tenants advocacy group Coalition for Economic Survival, said that with many tenants barely making ends meet, any increase is a squeeze.Laurence Darmiento, Los Angeles Times, 27 Dec. 2024
Noun
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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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Create a slight constriction in the back of your throat so that your breath becomes slightly audible.Cory Martin, Verywell Health, 1 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Contraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contraction. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.
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