as in squeezed
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
1
as in got
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 compressed
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 condensed
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in agreed
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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of contracted
ABC News, 19 May 2026
This is a rare variant of Ebola Ebola is highly contagious and can be contracted via bodily fluids such as vomit, blood or semen.
—Jean-Yves Kamale, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
The strain the Illinois resident was thought to have contracted was the North American strain of hantavirus — which is not spread from person to person, unlike the Andes strain associated with the cruise ship MV Hondius outbreak.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 18 May 2026
Among the cases is an American who contracted the virus while working in the DRC and will be taken to Germany for treatment, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Monday.
—Erika Edwards, NBC news, 18 May 2026
Investment contracted too, prompting analysts at several banks to urge Beijing to take bolder measures to kickstart growth.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 18 May 2026
Standing nearly 27 feet tall and about 13 feet wide, Dragon capsules can carry up to seven astronauts into orbit, though most of SpaceX's Crew missions, which are contracted with NASA, feature a contingent of four.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 12 May 2026
John contracted a severe eye infection in the summer of 2024.
—Karen Bliss, Rolling Stone, 12 May 2026
But there is some concern about how the infection might manifest if contracted by someone with uncontrolled HIV or another condition that compromises the immune system.
—Helen Branswell, STAT, 11 May 2026
Verb
Ebola is highly contagious and can be contracted via bodily fluids such as vomit, blood or semen.
—ABC News, 19 May 2026
This is a rare variant of Ebola Ebola is highly contagious and can be contracted via bodily fluids such as vomit, blood or semen.
—Jean-Yves Kamale, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
The strain the Illinois resident was thought to have contracted was the North American strain of hantavirus — which is not spread from person to person, unlike the Andes strain associated with the cruise ship MV Hondius outbreak.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 18 May 2026
Among the cases is an American who contracted the virus while working in the DRC and will be taken to Germany for treatment, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Monday.
—Erika Edwards, NBC news, 18 May 2026
Investment contracted too, prompting analysts at several banks to urge Beijing to take bolder measures to kickstart growth.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 18 May 2026
Standing nearly 27 feet tall and about 13 feet wide, Dragon capsules can carry up to seven astronauts into orbit, though most of SpaceX's Crew missions, which are contracted with NASA, feature a contingent of four.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 12 May 2026
John contracted a severe eye infection in the summer of 2024.
—Karen Bliss, Rolling Stone, 12 May 2026
But there is some concern about how the infection might manifest if contracted by someone with uncontrolled HIV or another condition that compromises the immune system.
—Helen Branswell, STAT, 11 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contracted
Verb
-
White Sox fans got the last laugh on Sunday afternoon as their squad completed a wild, thrilling comeback victory over their crosstown rivals.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
-
Maddie Eisler, a Manhattan Pilates instructor, was trying to explain why Shaggy got the shakes.—
Natalie Meade,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
The resulting longitudinal pre-tensioning of the whole structure compressed the joints.—
Srishti Gupta,
Interesting Engineering,
16 May 2026
-
That is why a hedge here makes sense while markets sit near highs, VIX remains compressed near the high teens, and investors are still leaning heavily into a handful of leadership names as the macro backdrop deteriorates.—
Tony Zhang,
CNBC,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
As more families feel squeezed by rising costs and growing debt, credit counseling might offer a path forward.—
Joshua Sidorowicz,
CBS News,
20 May 2026
-
Apply rooting hormone if desired, then wrap the area tightly with damp sphagnum moss that has been soaked for several hours and squeezed to remove any extra moisture.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
In a statement to the Tribune, Parker agreed.—
Kate Perez,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
-
If the space station is de-orbited in 2030, as currently planned and agreed upon by all partners, the last significant down-mass availability will be three years from now.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
The Giants have not won at home in Week 1 since Hakeem Nicks caught three touchdown passes in a 2010 win over the Carolina Panthers.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2026
-
Steyer backers Speaking of money, the second ad (or sort-of ad) that caught my attention is tied to Steyer, the billionaire who has spent more than $100 million of his own money in this race.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
The 1922 agreement that divided the water among the states doled out more than was actually flowing, and since 2000, the river has shrunk dramatically as climate change intensifies dry conditions in the Rocky Mountains.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
-
Betz also pointed to Michigan's lower birth rates, which have shrunk the pool of 18-year-olds seeking a college education, a trend that heavily impacts small private institutions like Siena Heights.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
14 May 2026
-
The following interview has been edited and condensed for clarity and length.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
In 2024, that decreased to 20 percent.—
Ashley Wu,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
-
School enrollment numbers have decreased markedly in Connecticut in the past two years.—
Sasha Allen,
Hartford Courant,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contracted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contracted. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
