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Expand vs Decompress - What's the difference?

expand | decompress |

In transitive terms the difference between expand and decompress

is that expand is to express (something) at length and/or in detail while decompress is to bring someone (such as a diver) back to normal atmospheric pressure after being exposed to high pressure.

In intransitive terms the difference between expand and decompress

is that expand is to feel generous or optimistic while decompress is to adjust to normal atmospheric pressure after being exposed to high pressure.

expand

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • (label) To change (something) from a smaller form and/or size to a larger one.
  • (label) To increase the extent, number, volume or scope of (something).
  • * (John Milton) (1608-1674)
  • Then with expanded wings he steers his flight.
  • (label) To express (something) at length and/or in detail.
  • To rewrite (an expression) as a longer, yet equivalent sum of terms.
  • To multiply both the numerator and the denominator of a fraction by the same natural number yielding a fraction of equal value
  • (label) To (be) change(d) from a smaller form/size to a larger one.
  • (label) To (be) increase(d) in extent, number, volume or scope.
  • (label) To speak or write at length or in detail.
  • *{{quote-book, year=1899, author=(Stephen Crane)
  • , title=, chapter=1 , passage=There was some laughter, and Roddle was left free to expand his ideas on the periodic visits of cowboys to the town. “Mason Rickets, he had ten big punkins a-sittin' in front of his store, an' them fellers from the Upside-down-F ranch shot 'em up […].”}}
  • (label) To feel generous or optimistic.
  • Synonyms

    * open out, spread, spread out, unfold * enlarge * (to express at length or in detail) elaborate (on), expand on

    Antonyms

    * contract * contract * factor

    Derived terms

    * expandable * expander

    decompress

    English

    Verb

    (es)
  • To relieve the pressure or compression on something.
  • To bring someone (such as a diver) back to normal atmospheric pressure after being exposed to high pressure.
  • (computing) To restore compressed data to its normal size.
  • To adjust to normal atmospheric pressure after being exposed to high pressure.
  • (informal) To relax.
  • Derived terms

    * decompression

    Anagrams

    *