compress
To squeeze or reduce into a smaller space or time
Examples
In a meeting
“Can you compress this presentation from 30 slides to 15?”
Over coffee
“I need to compress all my errands into one trip today.”
Why this word
squeeze
Squeeze is informal and emphasizes physical pressure, while compress is more technical and can apply to data or space reduction
condense
Condense often refers to making more concentrated, while compress emphasizes reducing size or volume through pressure
reduce
Reduce is general decrease, while compress specifically means making smaller by applying pressure or removing space
Usage tip
Best for physical or time-based reduction; use 'condense' for text or ideas
Etymology
Latin 'compressare' from 'com-' (together) + 'premere' (to press)
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Related words
streamline
To make a process or system more efficient by simplifying or eliminating unnecessary steps.
eliminate
To completely remove or get rid of something.
simplify
To make something easier to understand or do
dilute
To make weaker by adding something or spreading too thin
centralize
To bring together or concentrate control in one location or authority
batch
To group similar tasks together to handle them all at once