telescoping

Sections nest together

Telescoping describes sections that slide into one another, like the tubes of a telescope: a telescoping antenna, telescoping legs on a tripod.

The action can go either direction—extending outward or collapsing inward.

Figuratively, telescoping means compressing or condensing: The film telescopes three years of events into ninety minutes.

Time telescopes in memory, with distant events seeming closer together than they were.

mechanical

retracting

Withdrawing a statement

extendingIncreasing in reach
collapsingFalling inward suddenly
slidingMoving smoothly across surface

folding · nested · sectional · adjustable · retractable · collapsible · expandable · push-pull · interlocking · segmented

optical

binoculars

Handheld dual-lens magnifier

spyglassPortable magnifying tube
eyepieceLens you look through
lensLight-focusing curved glass

magnification · optics · focus · zoom · viewfinder · aperture · focal · telephoto · monocular · refractor

extending

elongate

To make longer

stretchPull to extend
lengthenIncrease in extent
expandIncrease in size

reach · unfurl · unfold · prolong · protract · draw out · deploy · spread · outward · outreach

compact

portable

Able to be carried

space-savingMinimizing area used
travel-friendlySuited for journeys
foldableAble to bend flat

storable · pocket-sized · lightweight · convenient · handy · miniature · modular · compressible · packable · carry-on

condensing

compressing

Forcing into less space

shorteningReducing length or duration
summarizingCondensing to main points
abbreviatingShortening by omission

distilling · consolidating · truncating · abridging · streamlining · encapsulating · synopsis · overview · highlight · précis

temporal

overlapping

Covering part of another

generationsPeople born around same time
cascadingFalling in stages
stackingPlacing items vertically

concurrent · phased · compression · accelerating · fast-tracking · sequencing · scheduling · timeline

Categories

mechanicalhydraulic, pneumatic, spring-loaded, motorized, belt-driven
gear featuresdurable, adjustable, breathable, lightweight, waterproof
product featuressize, color, durable, quality, material
seriesseries, sum, sequence, geometric series, arithmetic sequence
growthgrowth, grow, growing, growth rate, increase
compactcompact, small, tiny, mini, miniature

Opposites

physical extension/retraction

telescopingrigid

Unable to bend

inflexible · fixed · solid · one-piece · monolithic

temporal/conceptual compression

telescopingexpanding

Growing in scope

elongating · stretching · spreading out · extending · elaborating

collision/impact dynamics

telescopingrebounding

Bouncing back after collision

separating · deflecting · repelling

Phrases

telescopic sightMagnifying aiming device
telescoping ladderRetractable portable climbing device
telescoping poleAdjustable-length pole

Family

telescopic, telescopically

Familiarity: Top 200,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G