Synonyms of contract

contract 1 of 2

noun

ˈkän-ˌtrakt 

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

• deal
• guarantee
• pledge
• vow
• warranty
• covenant
• bond
• guaranty
• assurance
• treaty
• surety
• pact
• oath
• bargain
• insurance
• convention
• deposit
• seal
• word
• compact
• security
• concordat
• accord
• troth
• bail
• pawn

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

• agreement
• pact
• convention
• settlement
• understanding
• deal
• promise
• bargain
• covenant
• compact
• treaty
• pledge
• accord
• disposition
• partnership
• charter
• association
• approval
• consent
• binder
• acceptance
• alliance
• assent
• league
• entente
• entente cordiale
• concurrence
• OK

contract

2 of 2

verb

ˈkän-ˌtrakt 

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

• get
• catch
• come down (with)
• take
• go down (with)
• sicken (with)
• break out (with)
• succumb (to)
• die (from)
• waste (away)
• fail
• weaken
• wilt
• wither
• worsen
• languish
• sink

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• come back
• recover
• gain
• heal
• recoup
• mend
• shake (off)
• recuperate
• recover (from)
• snap back
• rebound
• rally

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shrink
• compress
• decrease
• collapse
• constrict
• condense
• withdraw
• flatten
• dry up
• retreat
• diminish
• wither
• wilt
• shrivel
• recede
• lessen
• deflate
• dwindle
• abate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• expand
• increase
• swell
• grow
• accumulate
• balloon
• snowball
• inflate
• balloon
• puff (up)

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• compress
• squeeze
• condense
• compact
• narrow (down)
• pack
• consolidate
• collapse
• constringe
• capsule
• telescope
• constrict
• simplify
• capsulize
• shorten
• cram
• boil down
• curtail
• abridge
• decrease
• jam
• abbreviate
• downsize
• shrink
• crowd
• streamline
• concentrate
• jam-pack
• diminish
• lessen

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• expand
• open
• outspread
• dilate
• decompress
• disperse
• dissipate
• outstretch
• scatter
• swell
• inflate
• distend

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bargain
• covenant
• agree
• come to terms
• strike a bargain
• arrange
• come around
• underwrite
• come round
• subscribe
• settle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disagree
• differ
• dissent
• cancel
• revoke
• object
• argue
• contest
• dispute
• renege

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

Recent Examples of contract

Noun

Former UConn standout Aubrey Griffin also made her WNBA debut Friday just hours after signing a hardship contract with the Liberty. —Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2026

Cease, who signed the largest contract for a free agent pitcher last winter, struck out 12 and did not walk anyone. —Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 9 May 2026

Verb

The Sheriff’s Department is responsible for law enforcement in the county’s unincorporated areas, which include deserts and mountains, as well as cities that contract with the agency — including Temecula, Moreno Valley, Lake Elsinore, Rancho Mirage and others. —Hailey Wang, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026

Twenty-four years ago, Arizona photojournalist Gilbert Zermeño, who contracted hantavirus after losing both his mother and sister to the illness, says news of the recent outbreak has been hard to process. —Kierra Frazier, CBS News, 9 May 2026