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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of contract
Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 19 Sep. 2025
But McTavish joined New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes as the only high-profile restricted free agents to have reached the opening of training camp sans contract extension.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Tracy King, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
The Centers for Disease Control recognizes that some people who contract Lyme disease may continue to feel ill.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contract
Noun
This is also a contract year for Drury.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 19 Sep. 2025
But McTavish joined New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes as the only high-profile restricted free agents to have reached the opening of training camp sans contract extension.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
Instead of just contracting with subject experts for copyright of material, now professionals have to consider licensing their likeness and voice for specific use.
—Tracy King, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
The Centers for Disease Control recognizes that some people who contract Lyme disease may continue to feel ill.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contract
Noun
-
Only nine of those 32 years were profitable on a division-wide basis, the two most recent being in 2016-17 and 2017-18 and coming as a result of that huge 2016-19 TV rights deal, as massive revenue increases sped past cost growth.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
-
The Exhibit 9 deal provides financial protection for players who suffer injuries during training camp, guaranteeing $15,000 in compensation if waived.—
Grant Afseth,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The agreement marks a rare success in US-China relations; a delegation of US lawmakers visited Beijing on Sunday, the first such trip since 2019, as the countries look to further stabilize ties.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
21 Sep. 2025
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These tips must be passed on by a customer or, if there is such an agreement with an employer, through a mandatory or voluntary tip-sharing arrangement, such as a tip pool.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Hopefully, Dallas gets a better update than what the injury appeared to be.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Sep. 2025
-
The playoff picture should get more clear in Week 5 with some huge showdowns - notably Penn State hosting Oregon and Georgia hosting Alabama.—
Erick Smith,
USA Today,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In fact, the housing market has become so unaffordable for these buyers, the number of first-time home buyers shrank to a historic low.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
22 Sep. 2025
-
The strategy is shaped, in part, by the city’s structural budget deficit and shrinking state homeless funding.—
Mathew Miranda,
Sacbee.com,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Why Prostate Cancer Often Presents Without Symptoms In the early stages of prostate cancer, the disease is generally confined to the prostate, so the tumor does not block or compress any nearby organs—nor cause any symptoms, Eswara explained.—
Jenna Anderson,
Health,
18 Sep. 2025
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Margins in the cannabis industry are significantly compressed due to federal tax restrictions, supply chain inefficiencies, and high operating expenses.—
Iris Dorbian,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Sernatinger said the union hopes to begin bargaining in October, after settling a dispute with Pathfinders management over which positions were covered under OPEIU Local 39.—
Francesca Pica,
jsonline.com,
19 Sep. 2025
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Contenders for the leadership of Brazil’s right wing coalition are already emerging and are bargaining for Bolsonaro’s endorsement for being presidential candidates in the 2026 elections.—
Adriana Carranca,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Since that meeting, during which allies expressed optimism of a path forward on security guarantees, no progress has materialized.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
18 Sep. 2025
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Security guarantees for Ukraine must be part of any end to the war, and the guarantees must be real.—
Oleksandra Matviichuk,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Unlike those two former lottery picks, both of whom signed three-year bridge deals, McTavish is considered a cornerstone player for the Ducks going forward, with the club hoping for a long-term pact, much as the Devils are with Hughes.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
19 Sep. 2025
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On Wednesday, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a formal mutual defense pact, strengthening their decades-long partnership.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contract. Accessed 25 Sep. 2025.
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