CONTRACTED Synonyms: 157 Similar and Opposite Words

contracted 1 of 2

adjective

as in squeezed

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

contracted

2 of 2

verb

past tense of contract

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

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

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

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

Verb

During the month before her departure, Wong contracted with the New York Herald Tribune to write a series of articles about her journey through China. — Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026 Portage stumbled into its flock of Flocks after then-Sheriff Dave Reynolds contracted with the company to put them in the city. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026 The city of Folsom first contracted with Flock in March 2023, according to a copy of the contract provided to The Bee by DeFlock Sac Metro. — Haley Parsley, Sacbee.com, 14 Sep. 2026 Importantly, Newcastle have bolstered their own position and will be able to demand a higher fee for Hall, given he is now contracted for a further five seasons instead of three. — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026 Naranjo was among the men inside the van that was used by a cleaning company that had been contracted by an airline and was hit by the plane, the New Times reported. — Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contracted

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

But Jon Hamm, strolling up to present the next award, got the better joke in.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
Maresca’s players followed soon after; Iliman Ndiaye, an inspired half-time substitute, was hanging around at the back of the group when Ruben Dias grabbed him and thrust him to the front, ensuring the new signing got a deserved ovation.

— Sam Lee, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of got

Verb

But in 2021, Premier League clubs lost access to that exception and this shrunk the market by 95 per cent.

— Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Hybrid work increased slightly while fully remote work shrank slightly; average remote hours slipped only from 27 to 26 hours over the measured period.

— Gleb Tsipursky, Washington Post, 11 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

Hynde sat with filmmaker Joss Crowley for conversations over a three-year period, and only agreed to go before the camera for the last one.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2026
At their May meeting in Beijing, the two discussed AI guardrails but produced limited results, and last week the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said the two leaders had agreed to set up an intergovernmental dialogue on AI.

— John Liu, CNN Money, 14 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

Surveillance cameras caught video of the suspect [Brown] dressed in black with a mask and a gun walking to a set of pumps where another man was already putting gas into his Acura on the driver's side.

— Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026
Rafael Lopez, a Downey resident who has lived next door to the Kim family for years, said the FBI raid last summer caught neighbors by surprise when they were jolted awake by megaphones.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 17 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

Browse Nearby Words

contract

contracted

contracted (for)

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Contracted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contracted. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of contracted

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

volition

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 18

Popular

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes