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contract

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verb

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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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word contract different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of contract are compress, condense, constrict, deflate, and shrink. While all these words mean "to decrease in bulk or volume," contract applies to a drawing together of surfaces or particles or a reduction of area or length.

caused her muscles to contract

Where would compress be a reasonable alternative to contract?

In some situations, the words compress and contract are roughly equivalent. However, compress implies a pressing into a small compass and definite shape usually against resistance.

compressed cotton into bales

When would condense be a good substitute for contract?

Although the words condense and contract have much in common, condense implies a reducing of something homogeneous to greater compactness without significant loss of content.

condense the essay into a paragraph

When is it sensible to use constrict instead of contract?

The words constrict and contract are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, constrict implies a tightening that reduces diameter.

the throat is constricted by a tight collar

In what contexts can deflate take the place of contract?

While in some cases nearly identical to contract, deflate implies a contracting by reducing the internal pressure of contained air or gas.

deflate the balloon

When might shrink be a better fit than contract?

The synonyms shrink and contract are sometimes interchangeable, but shrink implies a contracting or a loss of material and stresses a falling short of original dimensions.

the sweater will shrink when washed

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 contract
Noun
The state was able to add this regional study to their existing contract with Hawkins-Weir for the state study. Arkansas Online, 28 Aug. 2025 When they were hired shortly after graduating from college, the twins were given separate contracts and split their one-person pay. Karla Renic, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
But before applications can open, the state Board of Education must issue rules, the Department of Education must hire 11 new staff to manage the program, and the state must contract with a fulfillment vendor. Vivian Jones, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025 Germany's economy contracted in both 2023 and 2024. Sophie Kiderlin, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for contract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contract
Noun
  • As history demonstrates, peace deals can be thrown overboard when an aggressor senses an opportunity to gain advantage.
    Daniel R. DePetris, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
  • The law currently gives prosecutors too much leverage in the courtroom and pressures defendants to take a plea deal over defending themselves at trial, Preston said.
    Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Yost, in his opinion, said county commissioners are allowed to enter into agreements with federal immigration authorities.
    Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 30 Aug. 2025
  • And announcements of investment agreements have already proven questionable.
    Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • In a statement to CNN, Gunter’s mother Danielle extended her gratitude to a Minneapolis police officer who assisted them in getting medical aid immediately after the shooting.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 29 Aug. 2025
  • Crews couldn’t start the cleanup process Tuesday or Wednesday because of rain and unsafe conditions, but the department hoped to get the road back open by Thursday, ITD said in a statement.
    Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 29 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Salmon and other fish populations, deprived of hundreds of miles of quiet pools to lay their eggs and for the juvenile fish to survive and thrive, shrank by about 95%, which led the federal government to enact protections for some salmon populations.
    Debra Utacia Krol, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2025
  • Job creation slows, local economies tighten, real estate markets feel the strain, and America’s global competitiveness weakens as innovation pipelines shrink.
    Britney Porter, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • However, while the valuation multiple will likely compress to more reasonable levels, the strong growth in revenues will more than offset that, resulting in higher levels for SOUN stock.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
  • If the premium compresses, new deals get harder, refinancing costs rise, conversions and warrant exercises add supply, and loans secured by crypto can demand more collateral at the worst moment.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Without the ability to collectively bargain and the mechanisms and agencies in place meant to protect them essentially neutralized, advocacy and public pressure may be employees' only remaining tools, Pearce warned.
    Josh Dinner, Space.com, 30 Aug. 2025
  • Will the two be allowed to wed, or will Ellen’s brothers, quarrelling over their father’s chair, bargain her off to other suitors to improve their chances?
    Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Zelensky has rejected the idea of pulling forces from Donetsk, while signalling an openness to freezing the frontlines, effectively ceding parts of the country to indefinite Russian control – but only if Ukraine receives ironclad security guarantees to deter future Russian aggression.
    Laura Kelly, The Hill, 28 Aug. 2025
  • In reality, the first scenario does not exist and the guarantees that would underpin the second are impossible to give, meaning sanctioning a sale at this stage in the window, at any price, would represent a sporting gamble that could be risky at best, reckless at worst.
    Steve Madeley, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • And because nothing is really written down, how does Washington keep Tokyo to a pact that’s more handshake than binding?
    William Pesek, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
  • Italy, the only Group of Seven (G7) nation to sign up to the BRI, had hoped that the pact would increase its sales to China.
    Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Contract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contract. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.

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