1
as in deal
a formal agreement to fulfill an obligation
accused her of breaking their contract by not completing the decorating job on budget
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in agreement
an arrangement about action to be taken
a contract outlining what needed to be done by each person
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to get
to become affected with (a disease or disorder)
before vaccines were invented, people lived in fear of contracting polio
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to shrink
to become smaller in size or volume through the drawing together of particles of matter
metal contracts at low temperatures
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to compress
to reduce in size or volume by or as if by pressing parts or members together
contract the calf muscles in your legs
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4
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contract
Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
Though combat sports were among the first events to return to action in the summer of 2020, DAZN’s declaration prompted Alvarez to look to get out from his contract.
—Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 2 May 2025
January Lavoy Krish Seenivasan Ted Blaisdell, New York Times, 3 May 2025
Most people will contract HSV-1 at some point during their lives — data has shown that HSV-1 affects 57 to 80 percent of adults in the U.S.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for contract
Noun
Months after moving to Los Angeles, Lampley also signed his first contract to call boxing on HBO, the job that would come to define his career.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
Though combat sports were among the first events to return to action in the summer of 2020, DAZN’s declaration prompted Alvarez to look to get out from his contract.
—Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 2 May 2025
Verb
Over the next century, its meaning began to contract.
—January Lavoy Krish Seenivasan Ted Blaisdell, New York Times, 3 May 2025
Most people will contract HSV-1 at some point during their lives — data has shown that HSV-1 affects 57 to 80 percent of adults in the U.S.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for contract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contract
Noun
-
Get 10% Off With Today’s Home Depot Promo Codes and Spring Offers Home Depot coupons and deals tend to ramp up in Spring, when people start refreshing their house and backyard, with deals of up to 50 percent on patio furniture, bath, mattresses and area rugs for Spring Decor Days.—
Matthew Korfhage,
Wired News,
17 May 2025
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Fried earned the largest chunk of the money that was allotted for Soto, signing an eight-year, $218 million deal as the Yankees boosted their rotation.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
17 May 2025
Noun
-
The Big 12’s media rights agreement expires in the summer of 2031, which means the next contract likely will be signed and sealed in the spring of 2030 — during Yormark’s tenure.—
Jon Wilner,
Mercury News,
10 May 2025
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However, the new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has teased an agreement over the terms for such a ceasefire as Kyiv's allies meet in the Ukrainian capital this weekend.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 May 2025
Verb
-
Proud to finally get AAA Insurance into victory lane.—
Lydia Mee,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
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Why are deals taking so long? Negotiating comprehensive trade deals can be a long, complicated process and some experts have questioned Trump's short timeline for getting so many deals done.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
9 May 2025
Verb
-
Though East Contra Costa has been the hub of refinery activities in Northern California, the number of jobs in the remaining refineries was limited, and had been shrinking in the past decade.—
Michael Bernick,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
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That’s a significant chunk, and every bit counts when the U.S. economy shrank at a 0.3% annual rate in the first three months of the year.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2025
Verb
-
The potatoes are cooked low and slow in the oven, then compressed overnight.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2025
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Rising interest rates have compressed valuations, rotating investor appetite toward value, dividends, and defensive plays.—
Jim Osman,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
And there was a process that was specifically bargained for in this agreement.—
Laura Romero,
ABC News,
6 May 2025
-
To this end, in 1954, NBA players formed the NBPA for purposes of collectively bargaining with the NBA and its clubs.—
Chris Deubert,
Forbes.com,
6 May 2025
Noun
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Those restrictions upend the conventional understanding of the 14th Amendment’s citizenship guarantee for people born on U.S. soil, which the Supreme Court and most legal scholars have long interpreted to include only a few narrow exceptions, like the children of diplomats.—
Zach Schonfeld,
The Hill,
15 May 2025
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The soldier also conveys a sense of betrayal over past international guarantees.—
Dominique Soguel,
Christian Science Monitor,
14 May 2025
Noun
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Liles attached a copy of the previously confidential settlement to a new legal filing this week, arguing that the 20-year-old pact barred Doe from suing both him and UMG last February.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
2 May 2025
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The pact also includes theatrical and streaming rights to The Chosen’s upcoming final two seasons, which will follow the crucifixion (Season 6) and the resurrection (Season 7).—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
2 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contract. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
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