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contract

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verb

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as in to bargain
to come to an arrangement as to a course of action the farmer contracted for delivery of the hay by the first of July

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word contract different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of contract are compress, condense, constrict, deflate, and shrink. While all these words mean "to decrease in bulk or volume," contract applies to a drawing together of surfaces or particles or a reduction of area or length.

caused her muscles to contract

Where would compress be a reasonable alternative to contract?

In some situations, the words compress and contract are roughly equivalent. However, compress implies a pressing into a small compass and definite shape usually against resistance.

compressed cotton into bales

When would condense be a good substitute for contract?

Although the words condense and contract have much in common, condense implies a reducing of something homogeneous to greater compactness without significant loss of content.

condense the essay into a paragraph

When is it sensible to use constrict instead of contract?

The words constrict and contract are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, constrict implies a tightening that reduces diameter.

the throat is constricted by a tight collar

In what contexts can deflate take the place of contract?

While in some cases nearly identical to contract, deflate implies a contracting by reducing the internal pressure of contained air or gas.

deflate the balloon

When might shrink be a better fit than contract?

The synonyms shrink and contract are sometimes interchangeable, but shrink implies a contracting or a loss of material and stresses a falling short of original dimensions.

the sweater will shrink when washed

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of contract
Noun
After the newest contract with the PBA, experienced police officers can earn about $115,000, SBA members said. Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 20 Mar. 2025 The Guardians front office believes in Santana, or he wouldn’t have been given a 1-year, $12 million contract, as a bridge at first base to Manzardo. More About Kyle Manzardo: The Tampa Rays drafted Manzardo in the 2nd round of the 2021 MLB draft. Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
Ordinarily, inflation eases when the economy contracts. Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2025 The statement provided details of two cats that contracted bird flu and a third cat suspected to have it. Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 16 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for contract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contract
Noun
  • That trip and a subsequent trade deal could dissipate the geopolitical headwinds.
    Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Most notably, Microsoft has a deal to restart the infamous Three Mile Island fission facility that was the site of the worst nuclear accident in the U.S.
    The Editors, Scientific American, 18 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The latest is an agreement with Iraq to rehabilitate the Kirkuk oilfield.
    Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Trump's record number of executive orders are testing the limits of presidential power Marc Elias, who left Perkins Coie to start his own firm in 2021, brokered an agreement with the research and intelligence firm Fusion GPS to conduct opposition research on Trump leading up to the 2016 election.
    Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 11 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Lucy Dacus has been getting deep in touch with her emotions in anticipation of her fourth studio album, Forever Is a Feeling, out March 28.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2025
  • The whole Rasta thing really got me out of the mindset of doing drugs and more into, like, health.
    Corey Seymour, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Too much laundering can wear out, fade, or shrink fabrics before their time.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Rather than expand services for children needing more intense treatment, many states are stuck with stagnant or even shrinking options.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • It's considered lossless to the eye, but the signal is actually compressed at a 3:1 ratio.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 18 Mar. 2025
  • The Liberal leadership race was compressed, and Carney was far ahead all along, so his opponents were not motivated to challenge him too much.
    Stephen Maher, TIME, 9 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • That might have included attempts to use information about an attack to bargain with police for lesser sentences in other criminal proceedings.
    TIME, TIME, 10 Mar. 2025
  • The move follows an unfair labor practice charge filed by the WGA East against Leftfield on Feb. 13, alleging failure to bargain in good faith.
    Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • In Europe, the Federal Republic of Germany agreed in 1954 to renounce the production of nuclear weapons and was nested in NATO and the U.S. security guarantee one year later.
    Anthony Lake, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2025
  • The research on alignment faking provides some clues, but there are no guarantees.
    Craig S. Smith, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The earnings are based on cash payouts in 2025 and do not include any potential incentives—Soto’s pact calls for $500,000 for a first MVP and $1 million for each subsequent one.
    Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Under the pact, CJ and TBS commit to producing at least three television series and two films together within the next three years.
    Sara Merican, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Contract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contract. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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