Compressed — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective verb /kəm-ˈprest/ com·pressed

Meaning & Definition of Compressed

Compressed (adjective)

  1. pressed together, reduced in size or volume (as by pressure)
  2. flattened as though subjected to compression:
  3. flattened laterally

Compressed (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in hardened, compacted

    similar: case-hardened, compacted, hardened, indurated, stiffened, tempered, compact, firm, hard, rigid, solid, stiff, unyielding, close, dense, heavy, thick, thickset, inelastic, inflexible, ramrod, unbending, condensed, adamantine, rocklike, sturdy, substantial, impenetrable, impermeable, nonporous
    opposite: flabby, soft, spongy, squashy, squishy, loose, scattered, thin, bendable, elastic, flexible, malleable, pliable, pliant, supple, droopy, flaccid, floppy, lank, limp, slack, airy, light, permeable, porous, ultrasoft

Compressed (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to reduce in size or volume by or as if by pressing parts or members together

    "a science textbook that compresses a lot of information about human reproduction into a few short chapters"

    similar: capsuled, capsulized, collapsed, compacted, condensed, constricted, constringed, contracted, narrowed (down), squeezed, telescoped
    related: crammed, crowded, jammed, jam-packed, packed, abbreviated, abridged, curtailed, shortened, boiled down, downsized, shrank, concentrated, consolidated, simplified, streamlined, decreased, diminished, lessened
    opposite: decompressed, expanded, opened, outspread, outstretched
    near: dilated, dispersed, dissipated, scattered, distended, inflated, swelled

  2. to become smaller in size or volume through the drawing together of particles of matter

    "the substance can compress under pressure"

    similar: condensed, constricted, contracted, shrank
    related: collapsed, deflated, flattened, dried up, shriveled, wilted, withered, abated, decreased, diminished, dwindled, lessened, receded, retreated, withdrew
    opposite: ballooned, expanded, snowballed, swelled
    near: accumulated, grew, increased, ballooned, inflated, puffed (up)

Related Entry: Compress (verb)

Compress is a different word from Compressed. The synonyms below are for compress, not for compressed.

  1. to reduce in size or volume by or as if by pressing parts or members together

    "a science textbook that compresses a lot of information about human reproduction into a few short chapters"

    similar: capsule, capsulize, collapse, compact, condense, constrict, constringe, contract, narrow (down), squeeze, telescope
    related: cram, crowd, jam, jam-pack, pack, abbreviate, abridge, curtail, shorten, boil down, downsize, shrink, concentrate, consolidate, simplify, streamline, decrease, diminish, lessen
    opposite: decompress, expand, open, outspread, outstretch
    near: dilate, disperse, dissipate, scatter, distend, inflate, swell

  2. to become smaller in size or volume through the drawing together of particles of matter

    "the substance can compress under pressure"

    similar: condense, constrict, contract, shrink
    related: collapse, deflate, flatten, dry up, shrivel, wilt, wither, abate, decrease, diminish, dwindle, lessen, recede, retreat, withdraw
    opposite: balloon, expand, snowball, swell
    near: accumulate, grow, increase, balloon, inflate, puff (up)

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Compressed

The most common words with a similar meaning to Compressed:

case-hardened, compacted, hardened, indurated, stiffened, tempered, compact, firm, hard, rigid, solid, stiff, unyielding, close, dense, heavy, thick, thickset, inelastic, inflexible, ramrod, unbending, condensed, adamantine, rocklike, sturdy, substantial, impenetrable, impermeable, nonporous, capsuled, capsulized, collapsed, constricted, constringed, contracted, narrowed (down), squeezed, telescoped, shrank

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Compressed

Words with the opposite meaning of Compressed:

flabby, soft, spongy, squashy, squishy, loose, scattered, thin, bendable, elastic, flexible, malleable, pliable, pliant, supple, droopy, flaccid, floppy, lank, limp, slack, airy, light, permeable, porous, ultrasoft, decompressed, expanded, opened, outspread

Related Words for Compressed

crammed, crowded, jammed, jam-packed, packed, abbreviated, abridged, curtailed, shortened, boiled down, downsized, concentrated, consolidated, simplified, streamlined, decreased, diminished, lessened, deflated, flattened, dried up, shriveled, wilted, withered, abated, dwindled, receded, retreated, withdrew

Near Antonyms of Compressed

dilated, dispersed, dissipated, distended, inflated, accumulated, grew, increased, puffed (up)

Word Forms of Compressed

Derived words: compressedly (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Compressed

First known use: 14th century

Words & Phrases Containing Compressed

compressed air

Frequently Asked Questions about Compressed

What does "Compressed" mean?

"Compressed" means pressed together, reduced in size or volume (as by pressure). As an an adjective and a verb, it is defined as: pressed together, reduced in size or volume (as by pressure). It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Compressed"?

Other words for "Compressed" include case-hardened, compacted, hardened, indurated, stiffened, tempered, compact and firm. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Compressed" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Compressed"?

There are 69 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Compressed". Common alternatives include case-hardened, compacted, hardened, indurated, stiffened, tempered, compact, firm, hard and rigid.

What is the opposite of "Compressed"?

Antonyms of "Compressed" include flabby, soft, spongy, squashy, squishy, loose, scattered and thin. Near antonyms include dilated, dispersed, dissipated and distended.

How do you use "Compressed" in a sentence?

Examples of "Compressed" in a sentence: "a science textbook that compresses a lot of information about human reproduction into a few short chapters"; "the substance can compress under pressure".

Is "Compressed" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Compressed" can be used as an adjective and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Compressed"?

"Compressed" is pronounced /kəm-ˈprest/ and divided into syllables as com·pressed.

What is the origin of the word "Compressed"?

First known use: 14th century.