decompress
8 synonyms and 1 antonym for decompress, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To reduce or remove pressure that has built up on something.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use decompress
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
decompress a file
time to decompress
decompress after work
Etymology
From de- + compress, tracing back to Latin dē- and premere ("to press").
Full origin of decompress →Frequently asked questions
What does “decompress” mean?
The word “decompress” means to reduce or remove pressure that has built up on something. In plain terms, to release built-up pressure — physically, digitally (unzipping a file), or mentally (unwinding).
How do you pronounce “decompress”?
“Decompress” is pronounced dee-kuhm-PREHS (/diːkəmˈpɹɛs/ in IPA).
How do you use “decompress” in a sentence?
Here is “decompress” used in a sentence: “Engineers decompressed the cabin gradually before opening the hatch.”
What is the opposite of “decompress”?
The opposite of “decompress” — its antonyms — is compress.
What part of speech is “decompress”?
“Decompress” is a verb.
Where does the word “decompress” come from?
The word “decompress” comes from Latin. From de- + compress, tracing back to Latin dē- and premere ("to press").
How many meanings does “decompress” have?
“Decompress” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to reduce or remove pressure that has built up on something.
