CONTRACTING Synonyms: 131 Similar and Opposite Words

contracting 1 of 2

noun

as in squeezing

the act or process of reducing the size or volume of something by or as if by pressing the contracting of the time frame for the primaries tends to favor candidates who are already well-known

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Relevance

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contracting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of contract

as in getting

to become affected with (a disease or disorder) before vaccines were invented, people lived in fear of contracting polio

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as in shrinking

to become smaller in size or volume through the drawing together of particles of matter metal contracts at low temperatures

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as in compressing

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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as in bargaining

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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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 contracting

Noun

There’s little evidence that Ampere Analysis’ maxim, coined a couple of years ago – a contracting sector chasing a 75% of peak TV business – has not changed. — John Hopewell, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026 The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division at Patuxent River is the contracting activity. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026 Experts say the risk of contracting rabies from a bat remains low, but the disease is almost always fatal once symptoms appear and is preventable with prompt treatment. — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026 Thankfully, scientists determined that the likelihood of contracting diseases from these populations is remarkably low. — New Atlas, 1 Oct. 2026 This included contracting with OpenAI to provide ChatGPT Edu to all its faculty, staff and students and setting up an advisory board to advocate for AI skills needed in the state’s workforce. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2026 That requires an operations system consisting of talent contracting, briefing, rate management and content review that can onboard and coordinate creators at that pace. — Agung Dwi Sandi, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026 Each contracting city will have the option to see what makes more sense, contract with the sheriff or join the MSTU? — Marci Woodward, Sun Sentinel, 25 Sep. 2026 Knife River – The stock rose almost 3% following a Wall Street Journal report that activist investor Starboard Value has acquired a substantial equity interest in the construction materials and contracting services company. — Michelle Fox,darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2026

Verb

Nelson authored Assembly Bill 2019, carried by Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris, which established a state goal of awarding at least 25% of procurement and contracting opportunities to small businesses and microbusinesses. — Nicole Buss october 8, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2026 At least 50 health workers have died after contracting the virus. — ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026 Many services offer these platforms individually, although contracting them separately means reconciling three contracts and three data models. — Guy Kurlandski, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026 To prevent women from contracting HIV from their partners while pregnant, antenatal clinics hope to start offering vaginal rings, which slowly release a protective antiretroviral drug over the course of a month. — David Cox, NPR, 26 Sep. 2026 The former for-profit prison was closed in 2021 after then-President Joe Biden’s executive order barred the Department of Justice from contracting with private prisons. — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2026 The economy is contracting and growing more unequal, leaving a large underclass too poor to participate meaningfully in the new private sector. — Will Freeman, Foreign Affairs, 17 Sep. 2026 The measles virus is one of the most contagious infectious diseases; so contagious, in fact, that 90% of unvaccinated people who are exposed end up contracting it. — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2026 The bill defines a brand guarantor broadly as anyone contracting for garment manufacturing, including through a brand or name-licensing arrangement. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 15 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contracting

Noun

So scientists use frequency-dependent squeezing to reduce quantum noise.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 22 May 2026
Maenpaa added that the physical act of squeezing creates a sensory anchor.

— Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 7 May 2026

Definition of squeezing

Verb

Spirit’s efforts to sell tranches of data to Google for $10 million hit several speed bumps after getting public attention in August.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026
Eaton, in conjunction with developer Sue Powers’ Urban Ventures, plans to renovate the building and reduce its unit count from 62 to 50, with each unit getting its own bathroom for the first time.

— Thomas Gounley, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of getting

Verb

But Moody’s says the fiscal pressures from aging emerge long before populations actually start shrinking.

— Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 5 Oct. 2026
Part of the reason for his town’s interest, Brule said, is the need to make up for shrinking tax revenues from Millstone, which experienced a decline in property values following deregulation.

— John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of shrinking

Verb

Yet one or more of the P5 could inject new names at the last minute, once again leaving the decision to behind-the-scenes bargaining among a few powerful states.

— Ian Johnstone, The Conversation, 9 Sep. 2026
The California Gig Workers Union hopes to begin bargaining by the end of the year, CalMatters reported.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of bargaining

Noun

On the other hand, fast movement, low light or heavy compression can leave an individual frame blurry.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Should corporate revenues demonstrate resilience while profit margins suffer cost compression, markets may reevaluate earnings prospects across energy intensive sectors.

— , CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of compression

Verb

The Braves scored the next three touchdowns for a 21-7 halftime lead, with Maliq Allen getting a one-yard touchdown run, DJ Tubbs catching a six-yard touchdown pass, and Moaalii making a 21-yard touchdown catch.

— Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026
Other days included yoga and stretching, catching hundreds of balls on the Jugs machine or recovering at Kollective, a social performance club in Austin.

— Sam Jane, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of catching

Verb

Academics and researchers have proposed a wide variety of causes for the crisis, like changes in the economy, decreasing social connections, access to firearms, and the pandemic.

— Darius Tahir, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
Overall sales have been on a downward trend since the gallery’s founding, decreasing by about 40 percent over the past three years.

— News Desk, Artforum, 7 Oct. 2026