condense

verb

kən-ˈden(t)s How to pronounce condense (audio)
Definition of condensenext
1
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
3
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 In turn, this increases the creation of aerosols–the particles that give water vapour a surface to condense upon. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 22 May 2025 The following interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. —Elaina Patton, IndieWire, 21 May 2025 Using acronyms and abbreviations, Gen Alpha condenses language into simple punchy expressions and repurposes existing words with new meanings. —Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 May 2025 This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity. —Rachel Kraus, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for condense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for condense
  1. compress
  2. squeeze
  3. reduce
  4. shrink
  5. extract
  6. concentrate
  7. remove
Verb
  • Eventually, they were so thoroughly compressed that nuclear fusion got going—and boom, the very first stars lit up the universe.
    — Robin George Andrews, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 May 2025
  • Costello neatly compressed the clichés of political pop.
    — Armond White, National Review, 28 May 2025
Definition of compress
Verb
  • Martinez’s son squeezed the trigger five times, shooting Rivera to death and wounding two others, the detective wrote in the affidavit.
    — Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2025
  • Umberto Rispoli squeezed between horses around the top of the stretch and then rode Journalism to a tremendous rally.
    — Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 24 May 2025
Definition of squeeze
Verb
  • With Bayern aiming to reduce their wage bill, the Wirtz signing would have come at the cost of at least an extra €20million (£16.8m, $22.7m) per year, on top of a transfer fee somewhere between €100m and €150m.
    — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 28 May 2025
  • Their original sentences, which were 12 years and seven years, respectively, were reduced in September 2023.
    — Esther Kang, People.com, 28 May 2025
Definition of reduce
Verb
  • The layoffs of tens of thousands of staff across the federal government are a critical piece of a push by the Republican president and billionaire adviser Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency to shrink the federal government and drastically cut spending.
    — Daniel Wiessner, USA Today, 23 May 2025
  • The fish that shrank, the study found, had a much higher chance of surviving.
    — Benji Jones, Vox, 23 May 2025
Definition of shrink
Verb
  • This is creating new opportunities to extract and reuse valuable raw materials, lessening Europe’s reliance on external sources.
    — Marianne Lehnis, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • Shaped like little green leaves (because why not be cute and moisturized?), these masks are packed with cucumber to de-puff, cactus extract to hydrate, and green tea leaf to calm all the nonsense happening under my eyes.
    — Larry Stansbury, Essence, 27 May 2025
Definition of extract
Verb
  • These disruptions and the resulting symptoms like headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, difficulty concentrating, memory lapses, balance issues, sensitivity to light and noise and personality changes can last minutes to days to even weeks and months.
    — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • Paris Baguette has 58 locations in California, mostly concentrated in the Bay Area and Southern California.
    — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 30 May 2025
Definition of concentrate
Verb
  • If the inmates removed the sink in the cell and disconnected the rest of the plumbing with the water still on, the plan to escape would not have been successful and potentially flooded the cell, drawing attention to their actions.
    — Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 21 May 2025
  • The office had to remove most furniture and relocate client documents somewhere dry.
    — Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 21 May 2025
Definition of remove

Browse Nearby Words

condensations
condense
condensed
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Cite this Entry

“Condense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/condense. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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