as in squeezed
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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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contracted
Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 12 Jan. 2026
Some of their staff members contracted coronavirus and didn’t come back.
—Wilborn P. Nobles Iii, Dallas Morning News, 12 Jan. 2026
The woman in the video tells the security guard she is contracted to receive medications only through this pharmacy.
—Christina Fan, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
In 2023, the Anti-Recidivism Coalition became a client of Actum’s and contracted with the firm in 2024 and 2025.
—Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 11 Jan. 2026
Since leasing the property in 2004, the development firm has invested millions into renovating and maintaining the site, said Aleshire, who is still contracted by the city to conduct legal work.
—Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 11 Jan. 2026
The hitman quickly fled on a motorcycle, while a photographer contracted for the job took pictures of the corpse, per the indictment, which were later sent via Threema to Wedding.
—Jesse Hyde, Rolling Stone, 10 Jan. 2026
In October, the city contracted The Center for Public Safety, an independent organization, to conduct a feasibility study to examine the potential costs to the city of creating its own police and fire rescue departments.
—Carlton Gillespie, Miami Herald, 10 Jan. 2026
The diagnosis came from San Mateo County, where an unvaccinated adult likely contracted the virus from recent international travel, according to Preston Merchant, a San Mateo County Health spokesperson.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2026
Verb
Like California, New York state has also seen production spend declines as studio slates have contracted.
—Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 12 Jan. 2026
Some of their staff members contracted coronavirus and didn’t come back.
—Wilborn P. Nobles Iii, Dallas Morning News, 12 Jan. 2026
The woman in the video tells the security guard she is contracted to receive medications only through this pharmacy.
—Christina Fan, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
In 2023, the Anti-Recidivism Coalition became a client of Actum’s and contracted with the firm in 2024 and 2025.
—Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 11 Jan. 2026
Since leasing the property in 2004, the development firm has invested millions into renovating and maintaining the site, said Aleshire, who is still contracted by the city to conduct legal work.
—Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 11 Jan. 2026
The hitman quickly fled on a motorcycle, while a photographer contracted for the job took pictures of the corpse, per the indictment, which were later sent via Threema to Wedding.
—Jesse Hyde, Rolling Stone, 10 Jan. 2026
In October, the city contracted The Center for Public Safety, an independent organization, to conduct a feasibility study to examine the potential costs to the city of creating its own police and fire rescue departments.
—Carlton Gillespie, Miami Herald, 10 Jan. 2026
The diagnosis came from San Mateo County, where an unvaccinated adult likely contracted the virus from recent international travel, according to Preston Merchant, a San Mateo County Health spokesperson.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contracted
Verb
-
The Los Angeles Police Department could not immediately provide details of his arrest, but NBC4 reported that Sutherland allegedly got into an altercation with a ride-hailing driver, and was booked on suspicion of criminal threats.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
14 Jan. 2026
-
The whole experience somehow got even more embarrassing when a group of women at the restaurant approached him afterwards.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Las Vegas has compressed a short stretch of the Strip into a luxury gauntlet that’ll wreck your step count and your credit limit in the same afternoon.—
Paul Jebara,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Right now, with silver at elevated levels, premiums have compressed somewhat as a percentage of total price compared to when silver was trading at $20 or $30 per ounce.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
At one point, the fear that squeezed my stomach tighter and tighter gave way to stupefaction.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Even if those increases eventually unwind, the impact will fall on households that have already been squeezed for decades, and many households are no longer assuming prices will fall back—they’ve been burned too often.—
Gene Ludwig,
Fortune,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The dispute was resolved after Singh agreed to provide additional context, explaining that the files were collaborative documents shared among participants through the messaging app Signal.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
10 Jan. 2026
-
The state of Idaho asked the Supreme Court to hear the case, and this past summer the court agreed to review it.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Mercury Row Hegg Linen Tufted Upholstered Platform Bed Shopping for a bed can be pricy, which is why this platform option—discounted by more than $700—immediately caught my eye.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Secure loose outdoor items and adjust plans as necessary so you're not caught outside.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The congregation has shrunk by half since the storm, and many are over 60.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Perhaps their appetites have shrunk due to changing bodies, or hormones or medication.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Mercury News,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
15 Jan. 2026
-
This conversation has been edited and condensed.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
While the short-term base rate decreased thanks to cuts from the Fed last year, analysts are widely expecting the base rate to decrease at a slower pace in the New Year.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
12 Jan. 2026
-
When eccentricity decreased, the climate shifted toward drier conditions.—
Stefanie Waldek,
Space.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contracted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contracted. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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