1
as in deal
a formal agreement to fulfill an obligation
accused her of breaking their contract by not completing the decorating job on budget
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in agreement
an arrangement about action to be taken
a contract outlining what needed to be done by each person
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to get
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 to shrink
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 to compress
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 to bargain
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of contract
Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
Though combat sports were among the first events to return to action in the summer of 2020, DAZN’s declaration prompted Alvarez to look to get out from his contract.
—Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 2 May 2025
January Lavoy Krish Seenivasan Ted Blaisdell, New York Times, 3 May 2025
Most people will contract HSV-1 at some point during their lives — data has shown that HSV-1 affects 57 to 80 percent of adults in the U.S.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for contract
Noun
Months after moving to Los Angeles, Lampley also signed his first contract to call boxing on HBO, the job that would come to define his career.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
Though combat sports were among the first events to return to action in the summer of 2020, DAZN’s declaration prompted Alvarez to look to get out from his contract.
—Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 2 May 2025
Verb
Over the next century, its meaning began to contract.
—January Lavoy Krish Seenivasan Ted Blaisdell, New York Times, 3 May 2025
Most people will contract HSV-1 at some point during their lives — data has shown that HSV-1 affects 57 to 80 percent of adults in the U.S.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for contract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contract
Noun
-
The episode allowed the Emmy-winning Max series to finally pay homage to the world’s biggest comedy fest, which for decades was a talent incubator and industry summer camp where deals were struck and comics like Kevin Hart, Amy Schumer and Quinta Brunson were discovered.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
5 May 2025
-
That’s because the Treasury secretary keeps saying, there's going to be deals, there's going to be deals.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 May 2025
Noun
-
The Big 12’s media rights agreement expires in the summer of 2031, which means the next contract likely will be signed and sealed in the spring of 2030 — during Yormark’s tenure.—
Jon Wilner,
Mercury News,
10 May 2025
-
That said, this agreement is a small step in a better direction.—
The Editors,
National Review,
10 May 2025
Verb
-
Pickens also got into arguments with fans in the stands.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2025
-
Ava rises at dawn to get a makeover at the mall to prepare to see her gorgeous, successful ex-girlfriend.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
9 May 2025
Verb
-
Though East Contra Costa has been the hub of refinery activities in Northern California, the number of jobs in the remaining refineries was limited, and had been shrinking in the past decade.—
Michael Bernick,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
-
The Dow Industrials, Nasdaq 100 and S & P 500 have shrunken their 2025 losses and are all down less than 1% in the period.—
Jason Gewirtz,
CNBC,
12 May 2025
Verb
-
The potatoes are cooked low and slow in the oven, then compressed overnight.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Rising interest rates have compressed valuations, rotating investor appetite toward value, dividends, and defensive plays.—
Jim Osman,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
To this end, in 1954, NBA players formed the NBPA for purposes of collectively bargaining with the NBA and its clubs.—
Chris Deubert,
Forbes.com,
6 May 2025
-
And there was a process that was specifically bargained for in this agreement.—
Laura Romero,
ABC News,
6 May 2025
Noun
-
Those restrictions upend the conventional understanding of the 14th Amendment’s citizenship guarantee for people born on U.S. soil, which the Supreme Court and most legal scholars have long interpreted to include only a few narrow exceptions, like the children of diplomats.—
Zach Schonfeld,
The Hill,
15 May 2025
-
Today the rule of state is the guarantee for all sects.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 May 2025
Noun
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The pact comes as America's access to rare earth minerals, which are key to manufacturing high-tech products like computer chips and military equipment, has diminished after China last month announced export restrictions on some of these minerals in retaliation for U.S. tariffs.—
Alain Sherter,
CBS News,
2 May 2025
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The pact also includes theatrical and streaming rights to The Chosen’s upcoming final two seasons, which will follow the crucifixion (Season 6) and the resurrection (Season 7).—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
2 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contract. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
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