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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
The outlet reported that several other teams, including the Carolina Hurricanes, also explored offering a contract to Hart in recent weeks. Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025 The dedicated contract services segment is expected to show revenue of $860 million, an increase of the $846 million posted in the same quarter last year. Arkansas Online, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
Rosenberg wasn’t interested in a job, but that July, his new consulting firm The Athlete Group was contracted by OU to take an all-encompassing look at the football program throughout the fall and figure out what had to get better. Chris Vannini, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025 Between May and December 2023, ten people across Florida, Texas, Maryland and Arkansas contracted the serious disease from local mosquito bites rather than through international travel, according to new research. Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for contract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contract
Noun
  • Will that mean a five-year, $150 million deal or a more club-friendly contract around $130 million?
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 17 Oct. 2025
  • The city appeared to have reached the final stage of awarding a three-year, $27 million deal to a new security company on several occasions this year.
    Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In his plea agreement, Jones admitted using his company to submit more than $2 million in false bills to the Foundation for audiovisual services.
    Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2025
  • This Is My Story While Israel and Hamas have accepted the two-phase agreement, many of the more difficult issues have been left unresolved.
    Richard Hall, Time, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Their speed means the drones can often get to a crime scene faster than an officer, the chief said.
    Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 13 Oct. 2025
  • But getting there may have been the easy part.
    Max Tani, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In previous Fortune coverage of inflation’s long tail, consumers’ coping tactics have included trading down brands, shrinking baskets, delaying car repairs, and leaning on credit cards.
    Ashley Lutz, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Their numbers, however, have been shrinking as affordability weighs heavily on them, influencing milestone decisions like moving out of the family households.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • And the extreme pressure and friction of the move compresses the air molecules in front of Starship, creating a glowing plasma that is the signature of the stretch of flight known as reentry.
    Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Some corporate margins, which have proven remarkably resilient, could compress if demand softens.
    Michael Khouw, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The players argued the league refused to credibly bargain a new CBA by demanding terms that would mean less money shared with players.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 7 Oct. 2025
  • With Newsom’s signature now on AB 1340, drivers can collectively bargain and unionize, including negotiating contracts, which would set industry-wide standards, according to proponents like bill sponsors Assemblymembers Marc Berman, D-Menlo Park, and Buffy Wicks, D-Oakland.
    David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The blazing cornerback provides no guarantees, having not played an NFL down even in the preseason.
    Tim Graham, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • But, as the Arab Spring taught us, there is no guarantee that what comes after will, in fact, be better.
    Elizabeth Shackelford, Twin Cities, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Variations on a theme These French mega-pacts aren’t the only examples of networks and streamers playing nice.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Yet the attack would provide the impetus for the peace pact.
    Karl Vick, Time, 11 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Contract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contract. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

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