contracted 1 of 2

contracted

2 of 2

verb

past tense of contract
1
2
3
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
Verb
Is he done with NSFW, was he contracted for a season-long arc that is now over? Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 23 June 2026 The pool’s concrete slabs expanded and contracted, creating leaks. Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 June 2026 While authorities have not commented on the nature of the probe, the investigation is believed to be tied to AllHere, a now-defunct startup that was contracted to develop a student-facing chatbot. Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2026 Both patients presented with symptoms similar to Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, a life-threatening disease not normally contracted in California. Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 20 June 2026 None of the three had documentation of measles vaccination or had previously contracted measles. Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026 For the Artemis program, NASA has contracted both SpaceX and Blue Origin to develop lunar landers. Margaret Landis, The Conversation, 18 June 2026 Almost a week later, vendors contracted to help operate the site told the Herald that the DeSantis administration had notified them that the site would close by June. Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 17 June 2026 West Nile virus is spread to humans through bites from mosquitoes that have contracted the virus by feeding on infected birds. Adam Harrington, CBS News, 17 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contracted
Adjective
  • The six-minute quasi-title track works as a centerpiece, its compressed qanun (a stringed Middle Eastern instrument, played here by the acclaimed Syrian musician Maya Youssef) looping in the background as electronic pulses, foreboding pianos, and disembodied voices swirl around the mix.
    Alex Robert Ross, Pitchfork, 15 June 2026
  • Cities and counties with little experience as real-estate developers were suddenly tasked with managing complex acquisitions and renovations under compressed timelines.
    Michele Steeb, Oc Register, 10 June 2026
Verb
  • So who got a some fries with their shake?
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 22 June 2026
  • This is the same team that got all of the hostages out of the tunnels of Gaza that nobody said could be done.
    CBS News, CBS News, 21 June 2026
Verb
  • In 2024, the market shrunk 2% for the first time, losing some 50 million consumers.
    Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 25 June 2026
  • Other counties around the Carolinas that shrunk in overall population saw more Hispanic residents, including Union County, South Carolina, and Bertie County, North Carolina.
    John Marks, Charlotte Observer, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • Like many European carmakers, it has been squeezed by fresh tariffs on its exports to the United States as well as struggling to counter the rise of Chinese electric vehicles manufacturers, including BYD.
    Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 26 June 2026
  • Until then, concern that the smartphone market would continue to be squeezed by memory chip shortages had led investors to take a cautious view on Qualcomm’s prospects.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • Other board members agreed that the books be put into the curriculum as soon as possible.
    Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 June 2026
  • Lawmakers and the governor continue major investments in public schools, healthcare and agreed to increase spending on subsidized childcare and affordable housing.
    Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2026
Adjective
  • 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
  • The center describes its three-week immersion as a way to develop, in a condensed window, the practices and behaviors that might otherwise take years to build through outpatient therapy alone.
    Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 20 May 2026
Verb
  • Transfer Josh Derry quickly caught the attention of his teammates and coaches, who raved about his explosiveness and his work ethic during spring camp.
    Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 June 2026
  • The vandals got to it, they’ve largely been caught and are being prosecuted.
    Jack Date, ABC News, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • In March, a nurse assessed Parias for complaints of increasing pain, and the nurse noted decreased mobility, prompting the nurse to submit a referral for an orthopedic evaluation, as well as additional medications.
    Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 20 June 2026
  • This year, a census report compiled by Nutmeg Consulting found that the homeless sheltered population increased by around 17%, while the number of people living outside decreased by almost 50%.
    Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 20 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Contracted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contracted. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on contracted

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster