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Synonyms

compressed

American  
[kuhm-prest] / kəmˈprɛst /

adjective

  1. pressed into less space; condensed.

    compressed gases.
    Antonyms:
    expanded

  2. pressed together.

    compressed lips.

  3. flattened by or as if by pressure.

    compressed wallboard.

  4. Zoology, Botany. flattened laterally.

compressed British  
/ kəmˈprɛst /

adjective

  1. squeezed together or condensed

  2. (of the form of flatfishes, certain plant parts, etc) flattened laterally along the whole length

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • compressedly adverb
  • subcompressed adjective
  • uncompressed adjective

Etymology

Origin of compressed

Middle English word dating back to 1325–75; compress, -ed 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In this process, powders of WC and Co are compressed under high pressure and heated in sintering machines to form solid cemented carbide.

From Science Daily

When the spread between the two rates is compressed, banks earn less.

From MarketWatch

Market volatility had been compressed, and complacency reigned.

From MarketWatch

I have never seen such anger, such defiance compressed in a single moment.

From Literature

When you walk or put weight on a joint, cartilage is gently compressed, pushing fluid out.

From Science Daily

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.