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 What follows is an edited and condensed version of our Front Page Authority conversation. — Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 22 Aug. 2026 This Oreo takes us back to Sunday afternoons at Grandma’s house, with the classic flavors of one of the South’s most iconic recipes condensed into a single cookie. — Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 13 Aug. 2026 This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity and ease of reading. — Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2026 Some of that material condensed into tiny droplets called spherules, which spread around the planet before falling back through Earth's atmosphere at several miles per second. — Stefanie Waldek, Space.com, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for condense

Recent Examples of Synonyms for condense

Verb

The core issue is that this gas is normally compressed when injected at depth underground.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
Queues in the major markets run for years, new transmission runs longer, and no amount of capital compresses a utility approval process that was designed for a different century.

— Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of compress

Verb

The Middle East war and the resulting shipping disruption through the Strait of Hormuz drove up global commodity costs, further squeezing Beijing's own appetite for commodity imports.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Independent designers, once a discovery engine, were being squeezed, while the biggest brands put more investment into their own stores, creating a dichotomy in experiences that Bron felt was palpable.

— Hilary Milnes, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of squeeze

Verb

Its movements and squeaks change in response to the person interacting with it, giving caregivers another way to reduce distress and encourage engagement.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
For instance, a creditor might bid $35,000 for a $50,000 SUV, reducing the judgment by that amount, then sell it for $50,000, pocketing $15,000.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of reduce

Verb

Unless those policies change, a shrinking workforce will cause slower economic growth and lead to more expensive public debt.

— Stuart Anderson, Washington Post, 3 Sep. 2026
This is in part because, whether owing to shrinking foreign-news budgets or to a reluctance to have individual correspondents expound on such a broad array of topics and countries, careers like Ascherson’s barely exist anymore.

— Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of shrink

Verb

Huge investments are needed to extract the rich resources in Venezuela, whose oil output remains at a fraction of its capacity due to decades of mismanagement, lack of investment and sanctions.

— Anniek Bao,Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
Hyosung’s Bio-BDO is manufactured by fermenting sugars extracted from sugarcane.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of extract

Verb

The cores or plugs removed from the lawn during aeration actually increase the success of overseeding by providing more direct contact between the seeds and the soil.

— Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Sep. 2026
If coverings could not be removed, visitors would be charged for a day pass or a pass replacement.

— Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of remove

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condensations

condense

condensed

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“Condense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/condense. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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