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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of contract
Todd Spangler, Variety, 30 July 2025
Per the latest contract, the studios agreed to share performance data with the guilds as well as offer a bonus to titles that exceed a certain audience threshold.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 30 July 2025
Dominique Fluker, Essence, 31 July 2025
That's a turnaround from the three previous months when GDP contracted at a rate of 0.5%.
—Scott Horsley, NPR, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for contract
Noun
The contract was unanimously ratified by the 46-member bargaining unit.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 30 July 2025
Per the latest contract, the studios agreed to share performance data with the guilds as well as offer a bonus to titles that exceed a certain audience threshold.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 30 July 2025
Verb
Learn to contract, release, and meet with a pelvic floor therapist for more assistance if needed.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 31 July 2025
That's a turnaround from the three previous months when GDP contracted at a rate of 0.5%.
—Scott Horsley, NPR, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for contract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contract
Noun
-
After months of tense negotiations, U.S. President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have reached a trade deal that will set a 15% U.S. tariff on most goods imported from the 27 EU member states.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
28 July 2025
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President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen after reaching a trade deal between the U.S. and the EU at the Trump Turnberry golf course in Turnberry, Scotland, on July 27.—
Robert Birsel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 July 2025
Noun
-
The agreement set up floor votes on a range of bipartisan amendments and carved out the legislative branch funding bill at the request of Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA), who objected to its $7.1 billion cost and wanted a separate vote to oppose it.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Aug. 2025
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One day after approving a lease agreement for Paycor Stadium, Hamilton County commissioners voted to rescind that approval and approve a new version.—
Erin Glynn,
The Enquirer,
2 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
1 Aug. 2025
-
Pretty much everybody in the league has to get used to it.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
31 July 2025
Verb
-
Over time, the country’s economy will shrink by 0.4 percent (or the equivalent of $120 billion annually in 2024).—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
4 Aug. 2025
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The faces of its cars wore metal masks that allowed their engines to breathe for generations before grille sizes shrank as aerodynamics became the name of the game.—
Eileen Falkenberg-Hull,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The answer is a large-scale study (compressing five days of work into four) that employs more objective measurements in addition to self-reports and shows results that satisfy both worker well-being and business objectives.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
-
They are often compressed into triangular, ball, or cylinder shapes and wrapped in seaweed.—
Michiko Tomioka,
CNBC,
26 July 2025
Verb
-
Combined with inflation boosting home repair prices, the costs of homeownership are more than many people bargained for.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
17 July 2025
-
And managing them came with more responsibilities than Niven bargained for.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
7 July 2025
Noun
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With its guarantee of seclusion and privacy, the island has become a celebrity haven (so much so that Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson bought a home there).—
Monica Mendal,
Vogue,
15 July 2025
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While Lazard and Hall will likely both make the team, there’s no guarantee for Corley, who missed substantial time in the spring due to an undisclosed injury.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
14 July 2025
Noun
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Slater, a two-time Pro Bowler who’s tasked in protecting quarterback Justin Herbert’s blindside, is collecting $92 million in guarantee money on his four-year, $114 million pact.—
Jay Paris,
Forbes.com,
28 July 2025
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Now the Abraham Accords—the U.S.-brokered normalization pacts between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan—might expand to include the most powerful Sunni Arab state, Saudi Arabia.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
28 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contract. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.
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