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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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
Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 13 June 2026
Hoffman told Fox News Digital that Jose didn’t complete a physical for the death benefit under the terms of his contract.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026
Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2026
The acids in coffee boost your gut’s production of gastrin, a hormone that prompts the muscles in your colon to contract and kickstart bowel movements.
—Allison Forsyth, Health, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for contract
Noun
By comparison, Tesla has received relatively modest government contracts in the past.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 13 June 2026
Hoffman told Fox News Digital that Jose didn’t complete a physical for the death benefit under the terms of his contract.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026
Verb
California public records request Willows officials on March 18 initiated a mediation request regarding the law enforcement services contract with the Sheriff’s Office.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2026
The acids in coffee boost your gut’s production of gastrin, a hormone that prompts the muscles in your colon to contract and kickstart bowel movements.
—Allison Forsyth, Health, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for contract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contract
Noun
-
Rizzo’s front office, which includes the man who served as interim GM last season, Mike DeBartolo, made a deal that helped provide the new administration with assets who can help the Nationals win, now and in the future.—
Barry Svrluga,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
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The labor deals will add more than $1 billion a year to district costs, providing higher salaries and maintaining health benefits for workers and expanding some services to students.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
As part of the distribution agreement, the slate will also roll out in mainland China via Xiaohongshu, the digital lifestyle platform whose daily active user base tops 200 million.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
16 June 2026
-
Five of those six convictions, including Teahan’s case, have ended with plea agreements before trial.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Here's a look at the collectible pin and how to get it.—
Ray Padilla,
Louisville Courier Journal,
12 Dec. 2025
-
Swift covered a variety of topics while speaking with Colbert, from her Kansas City Chiefs star fiancé Travis Kelce being the love of her life to getting her masters back.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
12 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Scientists propose that during drier periods in the Quaternary, forests shrank to lower elevations.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Dec. 2025
-
Switzerland, Japan and Mexico take a hit The Swiss economy shrank in the third quarter at the sharpest rate since the depths of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.—
Olesya Dmitracova,
CNN Money,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
These new findings come just a year after another team looked at the old data to conclude that the solar wind had indeed compressed Uranus' magnetosphere, squeezing out the plasma normally present.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
10 Dec. 2025
-
Aside from the delivery process, the mattress was compressed, which made moving it up to my apartment easier.—
Kristi Kellogg,
Architectural Digest,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
While bargaining with fantasy and forgiveness, the song lyrics shed light on the cost of having to ask, hope or wait for something that will never come.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
12 June 2026
-
The requirement that employers bargain with workers before deploying the automation that could replace them — the one protection that would have put machinists like me at the table before the decision was made.—
Heather Merrick,
Hartford Courant,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
When installed correctly, with the proper slope, however, many models offer some protection from drizzles or light showers, but this isn’t a guarantee.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
10 June 2026
-
First, trust needs to come through technical guarantees rather than geographic restrictions.—
Leonard Lim,
Fortune,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin have signed a mutual defense pact, and North Korea has sent soldiers, artillery ammunition and missiles to Russia to support Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
12 Dec. 2025
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Researchers have recently been finding subtle ways that animals communicate with other species in this kind of cooperative defense pact.—
Jesse Greenspan,
Scientific American,
10 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contract. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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