crossword clue compress – All Crossword Answers
Welcome! Struggling with the clue "compress" in your crossword puzzle? You've come to the right place. Below you'll find all possible answers, organized by letter length, along with helpful explanations to get you unstuck quickly.
Solutions for "crossword clue compress" by Letter Count
5 Letters
PRESS: To apply force, often to reduce volume or fit into a smaller space.
CRUSH: To press or squeeze with a force that damages or deforms, making something more compact.
6 Letters
REDUCE: To lessen the amount, size, or extent of something, making it more compact.
SHRINK: To become or make smaller in size or amount, often as if by drawing in or contracting.
7 Letters
SQUEEZE: To firmly press something, typically with one's fingers or hand, in order to extract or deform it, or to fit it into a confined space.
COMPACT: Closely and firmly packed together; dense. (As a verb, to compress).
SHORTEN: To make or become shorter, which can imply compression of length or duration.
8 Letters
CONDENSE: To make something more dense or compact; to express (a speech or text) in fewer words.
10 Letters
ABBREVIATE: To shorten (a word, phrase, or text), often by omitting letters or words, a form of intellectual compression.
More About "crossword clue compress"
"Compress" is a versatile clue that can appear in many crossword puzzles, from daily quick crosswords to more challenging cryptic ones. Its meaning revolves around making something smaller, denser, or more concise. This can manifest physically, such as 'squeezing' an object, or abstractly, like 'condensing' information or 'reducing' a complex idea into a simpler form.
Understanding the context is key when encountering "compress." Is the puzzle focusing on physical actions, or is it looking for a term related to data storage or even a culinary process? Common synonyms like 'press', 'reduce', 'squeeze', and 'condense' are frequent answers, but don't overlook less obvious ones like 'shrink' or 'compact', which also fit the theme of making things smaller.
Cryptic clues might use "compress" in a more playful way, perhaps hinting at wordplay or an anagram related to the act of tightening or squashing. Always consider the word length provided, as this is often the most critical filter for ambiguous clues like this one.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Check Letter Count First: Always match potential answers with the exact number of letters required. This is your primary filter for clues like "compress" which have many synonyms.
- Look at Intersecting Letters: The letters from other solved clues that cross your current one are invaluable. They can quickly confirm or rule out a potential solution.
- Consider Nuance: Does "compress" lean towards physical force (e.g., PRESS), intellectual reduction (e.g., CONDENSE), or perhaps a natural process (e.g., SHRINK)? The rest of the clue or grid can often provide subtle hints.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'compress' typically mean in crosswords?
In crosswords, 'compress' usually points to words related to making something smaller, denser, or more compact. Common answers include 'PRESS', 'REDUCE', 'SQUEEZE', or 'CONDENSE'.
Are there different types of 'compress' in crosswords?
Yes, 'compress' can refer to physical compression (like squeezing a sponge), data compression (like zipping a file), or even verbal compression (like condensing a story). The context of the other clues and letters will help narrow it down.
How can I find the correct answer when 'compress' has multiple solutions?
Always look at the number of letters required and any intersecting letters from other clues. The specific wording of the clue might also hint at a nuance, for example, 'compress a file' would suggest a different answer than 'compress oranges'.