CONDENSE Synonyms: 92 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'condense' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of condense are compress , constrict , contract , deflate , and shrink . While all these words mean "to decrease in bulk or volume," condense implies a reducing of something homogeneous to greater compactness without significant loss of content. // condense the essay into a paragraph

Q: Where would 'compress' be a reasonable alternative to 'condense'?

While in some cases nearly identical to condense , compress implies a pressing into a small compass and definite shape usually against resistance. // compressed cotton into bales

Q: When would 'constrict' be a good substitute for 'condense'?

The meanings of constrict and condense largely overlap; however, constrict implies a tightening that reduces diameter. // the throat is constricted by a tight collar

Q: In what contexts can 'contract' take the place of 'condense'?

The words contract and condense can be used in similar contexts, but contract applies to a drawing together of surfaces or particles or a reduction of area or length. // caused her muscles to contract

Q: When is it sensible to use 'deflate' instead of 'condense'?

The words deflate and condense are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, deflate implies a contracting by reducing the internal pressure of contained air or gas. // deflate the balloon

Q: When could 'shrink' be used to replace 'condense'?

Although the words shrink and condense have much in common, shrink implies a contracting or a loss of material and stresses a falling short of original dimensions. // the sweater will shrink when washed

condense

verb

kən-ˈden(t)s

Definition of condense

as in to compress

to become smaller in size or volume through the drawing together of particles of matter over time the once-fluffy material in the pillow had condensed into a lumpy wad

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to squeeze

to reduce in size or volume by or as if by pressing parts or members together condense the information into as brief a report as possible

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to reduce

to increase the strength of (a substance in a mixture) by removing other substances added condensed milk to the mix

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word condense different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of condense are compress, constrict, contract, deflate, and shrink. While all these words mean "to decrease in bulk or volume," condense implies a reducing of something homogeneous to greater compactness without significant loss of content.

condense the essay into a paragraph

Where would compress be a reasonable alternative to condense?

While in some cases nearly identical to condense, compress implies a pressing into a small compass and definite shape usually against resistance.

compressed cotton into bales

When would constrict be a good substitute for condense?

The meanings of constrict and condense largely overlap; however, constrict implies a tightening that reduces diameter.

the throat is constricted by a tight collar

In what contexts can contract take the place of condense?

The words contract and condense can be used in similar contexts, but contract applies to a drawing together of surfaces or particles or a reduction of area or length.

caused her muscles to contract

When is it sensible to use deflate instead of condense?

The words deflate and condense are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, deflate implies a contracting by reducing the internal pressure of contained air or gas.

deflate the balloon

When could shrink be used to replace condense?

Although the words shrink and condense have much in common, shrink implies a contracting or a loss of material and stresses a falling short of original dimensions.

the sweater will shrink when washed

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 condense The conversation has been condensed and edited for clarity and length. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026 Finding the hidden state In conventional superconductors, electrons form Cooper pairs and those pairs condense into one collective quantum state. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026 His script is remarkably faithful to the book, just condensed for efficiency. — Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026 Instead, several particles stick together and form larger clusters before sulfuric acid condenses around them. — Elizabeth Rayne, ArsTechnica, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for condense

Recent Examples of Synonyms for condense

Verb

How the whiplash is different now Now, the time frame is being compressed.

— Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Full resolution can use a lot more storage There is a reason photo-sharing services have compressed images for years.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of compress

Verb

Meta squeezes two independent light-guiding cores into a single standard glass strand to double its bandwidth.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2026
Fuel expenses are squeezing daily household budgets and tightening cash flow toward the end of the month, with reports indicating a growing number of French employees are requesting payroll advances to manage month end expenses.

— , CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of squeeze

Verb

Sullivan touted his Bycatch Reduction Act, a bill intended to reduce excess fish caught by large commercial trawlers.

— Matthew Choi The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
Energy-absorbing seats are designed to manage forces transmitted to occupants during an impact, potentially reducing injury risks.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of reduce

Verb

Musk’s wealth faces a countdown Musk also expects his personal fortune to shrink substantially across future generations.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026
Lake Mead and Lake Powell are the visible faces of the Southwest’s critical water problem, as the Colorado River — which supplies water to nearly 40 million people — shrinks due to a combination of climate change and human demand.

— Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of shrink

Verb

Doctors can use catheters to enter blood vessels in the lungs and dissolve or extract the clots.

— Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026
Heavy drones offer the advantages of speedy evacuation and potentially greater survivability for wounded soldiers, along with likely representing the only realistic option for extracting soldiers from dangerous frontline positions.

— Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of extract

Verb

The show’s creative team was able to concentrate on making the series itself rather than second-guessing every decision to appeal to the international market.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
Collisions between nanoscale twins and crystal boundaries form concentrated stress points, which sprout fresh structural defects.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of concentrate

Verb

The full court reheard the case in January 2024, and in October 2024 ruled 9-8 that the NLRB had no power to order the tweet removed, citing the First Amendment.

— Heather Occhino, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
Meanwhile, according to a USFWS spokesperson, around 30 million lbs of invasive carp are removed from Midwestern waters each year.

— Victoria Malloy, Time, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of remove

Browse Nearby Words

condensations

condense

condensed

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“Condense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/condense. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of condense

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