compressive

adjective

com·​pres·​sive kəm-ˈpre-siv How to pronounce compressive (audio)
1
: of or relating to compression
2
: tending to compress
compressively adverb

Examples of compressive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
When the same walls had fire on both faces, their compressive strength dropped to 14% to 27% of the original. — Giorgia Giardina, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2026 Seaside Sophistication The plunging neckline on this compressive swimsuit resembles Gomez’s nautical ensemble. — Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 30 July 2026 The compressive fabric creates a smoothing effect that doesn’t feel suffocating and the 7/8 length is perfect for my petite height since the bottoms don’t scrunch up at the ankles. — Melony Forcier, InStyle, 17 July 2026 And then pressed into cylindrical test parts to measure density and compressive strength, successfully linking prill structure directly to final performance. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for compressive

Word History

First Known Use

1572, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of compressive was in 1572

Rhymes for compressive

See All Rhymes for compressive

Browse Nearby Words

compression wood
compressive
compressive strength
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Compressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compressive. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of zeugma

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All