contracted 1 of 2

adjective

as in squeezed

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contracted

2 of 2

verb

past tense of contract
1
as in got
to become affected with (a disease or disorder) before vaccines were invented, people lived in fear of contracting polio

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2
as in compressed
to become smaller in size or volume through the drawing together of particles of matter metal contracts at low temperatures

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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

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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

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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
Verb
The Navy’s Rapid Capabilities Office also contracted Covenant to develop a maritime version. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026 South Africa’s economy contracted in the second quarter of 2026, while unemployment remains exceptionally high and structural weaknesses continue to weigh on growth. — Vivianne Wandera, semafor.com, 9 Sep. 2026 The dispute traces back to 2009, when AMC contracted with Kirkman for the TV rights to his comic book. — Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026 He is contracted through the end of the 2027-28 season, but really, the exact date matters less. — Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026 Recess shrunk, and time for lunch contracted from an hour (at many schools) to twenty minutes. — Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026 The city contracted with the company through a state grant that partially funds the program. — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026 One event occurred in 2015 when the mercenary hacker collective Hacking Team used one against a target it had been contracted to infect. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 2 Sep. 2026 Within the services category, wholesale, retail, and capital markets services activity contracted. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contracted
  1. compressed
  2. got
  3. shrank
  4. squeezed
  5. agreed
  6. condensed
  7. caught
  8. decreased
Adjective
  • Daniel West’s adaptation hits the major plot points and select lines of dialogue, but has typically, unavoidably, been streamlined and compressed.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • In the more compressed idiom of three-act-movie storytelling, this chapter would represent the end of act two, when all hope appears lost.
    — Chris Klimek, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of compressed
Verb
  • The rationale being that Frank Lampard got his tactics spot on at the Etihad and on another day – a day when Coventry were more decisive in front of goal – their head coach would have been celebrating an unlikely result.
    — Stuart James, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The Niners left California last Wednesday, arrived in Australia on Friday and were set for their first practice of game week on Monday at AAMI Park in Melbourne feeling mostly refreshed after players got a day to explore the city.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of got
Verb
  • Sales shrank last year after a drop-off in Canadian tourists hammered business at farmers’ markets and fairs, Denniston said.
    — Max Zahn, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Studios have shrunk budgets, major production houses have cut staff, and fewer projects are reaching the finish line.
    — Justin Birnbaum, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of shrank
Verb
  • Add in Braxton Berrios, the Giants’ punt returner and backup slot receiver, and that squeezed Slayton out.
    — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Independent designers, once a discovery engine, were being squeezed, while the biggest brands put more investment into their own stores, creating a dichotomy in experiences that Bron felt was palpable.
    — Hilary Milnes, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of squeezed
Verb
  • In fact, the dress code was actually eliminated during the 2025-26 season as part of early transition dates agreed upon for the new CBA.
    — Chris Johnston, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • After a tense year of sniping and trolling each other, the family members agreed to bury the butcher knife, and the Original Roy Hutchins empire added an Arlington location near AT&T Stadium.
    — Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of agreed
Adjective
  • While cake is cooling, whisk together cold water, sweetened condensed milk, and pudding mix in a large bowl until smooth.
    — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 13 July 2026
  • The gallery presents a condensed history of blue-and-white ceramics globally in dishes, starting in the Middle East with a 9th century Iraqi piece.
    — Stephanie Shih June 17, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2026
Definition of condensed
Verb
  • Ancelotti, though, could have spent the past four weeks in Europe and still barely caught a glance of Estevao Willian, Brazil’s would-be attacking talisman.
    — Jack Lang, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • In this ⁠year’s hunting season, which runs ​from ⁠June to around the end of September, 80 fin whales had been caught as of Wednesday, according to ⁠Humane World for Animals, an animal welfare group that tracks ​the ⁠catches.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of caught
Verb
  • Playing for Brian Daboll, Josh Allen slowly decreased his average time to throw and average air yards from 2018 to 2021.
    — Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • In Little Village, the number of vendors selling tamales and elotes has decreased, said Jennifer Aguilar, executive director of the business district’s chamber of commerce.
    — Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of decreased

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contract
contracted
contracted (for)
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Cite this Entry

“Contracted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contracted. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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