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 When the temperature falls low enough, the water vapor in the air begins to condense, forming a cloud above the smoke column. — Tiago Ventura, Time, 29 July 2026 There are many ways to get powerful Pals in Palworld, whether that’s condensing them for extra stars or a whole, whole lot of RNG breeding. — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 The following interview has been edited and condensed for clarity and length; it was conducted via translator. — Zachary Lee, IndieWire, 27 July 2026 Their interviews have been edited and condensed for length and clarity. — Abby Ellin, Vanity Fair, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for condense

Recent Examples of Synonyms for condense

Verb

My salary has been compressed by decades of raises well below inflation and stagnant institutional pay scales.

— Francisco Ruiz, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Pushing on or leaning against something that compresses the belly may increase the discomfort.

— Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of compress

Verb

Cheap electric cars dominate one end of the market, Tesla occupies the premium end, and the middle is getting squeezed.

— Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Washington is trying to choke Iran's ability to get its crude out while Tehran is squeezing the artery through which everybody else's crude gets through.

— Frank Andrews, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of squeeze

Verb

The South in particular faces higher rates of obesity and other health challenges that have further reduced the pool of eligible recruits and contributed to higher injury rates during basic training, according to service data.

— Steven Beynon, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
The historic supply shock has also been softened by other factors, including alternative export routes out of the Gulf, China reducing its oil imports, the United States increasing production and drawdowns from global oil stockpiles.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of reduce

Verb

However, measures in place to limit the spread, such as regular handwashing and social distancing, are not followed at the artisanal mining sites, where work to extract gold is done by workers using basic hand tools like shovels and pans.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Hoffman was born in Brooklyn, one of 10 children in an ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, and raised in Montreal after her Canadian mother extracted the family.

— Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of extract

Verb

In 2024, Legoland replaced the upper half of the ride, and this year concentrated on the ground-level structural support.

— Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2026
Equity investments and strategic partnerships can preserve access to innovation while allowing management to concentrate on current execution.

— Alex Krutz, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of concentrate

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 19 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of condense

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