Synonyms of contracting

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• squeezing
• compression
• condensing
• contraction
• squeeze
• condensation
• consolidation
• constriction
• compaction
• constricting
• telescoping
• compacting
• concentration
• shortening
• curtailment
• decreasing
• abbreviation
• streamlining
• abridgment
• simplification
• lessening
• diminishment

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• expansion
• dispersion
• scattering
• inflation
• decompression
• dissipation
• swelling
• dilation
• distension

contracting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of contract

1

as in getting

to become affected with (a disease or disorder)

before vaccines were invented, people lived in fear of contracting polio

Synonyms & Similar Words

• getting
• catching
• taking
• coming down (with)
• going down (with)
• sickening (with)
• weakening
• worsening
• dying (from)
• succumbing (to)
• failing
• sinking
• breaking out (with)
• languishing
• wasting (away)
• withering
• wilting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• recovering
• gaining
• healing
• coming back
• recuperating
• mending
• shaking (off)
• recouping
• recovering (from)
• rebounding
• snapping back
• rallying

2

as in shrinking

to become smaller in size or volume through the drawing together of particles of matter

metal contracts at low temperatures

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shrinking
• compressing
• decreasing
• condensing
• constricting
• collapsing
• flattening
• withdrawing
• diminishing
• retreating
• shriveling
• dwindling
• drying up
• lessening
• receding
• withering
• deflating
• wilting
• abating

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• expanding
• swelling
• increasing
• growing
• accumulating
• snowballing
• ballooning
• inflating
• puffing (up)
• ballooning

3

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• compressing
• squeezing
• condensing
• consolidating
• packing
• collapsing
• constricting
• compacting
• narrowing (down)
• telescoping
• constringing
• simplifying
• capsuling
• capsulizing
• cramming
• shortening
• curtailing
• downsizing
• shrinking
• decreasing
• crowding
• jamming
• abridging
• streamlining
• concentrating
• abbreviating
• diminishing
• jam-packing
• boiling down
• lessening

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• expanding
• opening
• dilating
• dispersing
• scattering
• dissipating
• decompressing
• swelling
• outspreading
• outstretching
• inflating
• distending

4

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bargaining
• agreeing
• covenanting
• coming to terms
• arranging
• underwriting
• striking a bargain
• coming around
• subscribing
• coming round
• settling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• differing
• disagreeing
• dissenting
• revoking
• canceling
• arguing
• objecting
• contesting
• disputing
• reneging

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of contracting

Noun

In the process, longstanding federal contracting controls were set aside, no-bid contracts were awarded, and superficial cosmetic work was performed that staff warned would have to be redone. — Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 13 July 2026

Based on a Facebook page for Mora’s contracting business, the real estate company only flipped one other property aside from Evangelista’s home. — Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026

Musk and his companies have become increasingly important players in Republican politics and federal contracting. — Luke Fountain,justin Papp, CNBC, 3 July 2026

Three years in, a contracting partner pulled him into a bear hug at a holiday party, tears in his eyes, telling him how much being part of it meant. — Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Details remain sketchy, but among the benefits touted by supporters is that the department would enjoy contracting and procurement powers theoretically free from mayoral influence and could put violence interrupters and other CVI workers on the city payroll for the first time. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2026

The cost of the pool renovation has risen to $16 million, federal contracting records show. — Mike Stunson, USA Today, 24 June 2026

Bresnahan, who previously served as CEO of his family’s electrical contracting firm, has some union endorsements, including the Pennsylvania Conference of Teamsters and the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE). — Julia Terruso, Time, 23 June 2026

If your area gets cold in the winter, store it to keep the resin from contracting and expanding and becoming weaker. — Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 19 June 2026

Verb

Take precautions during water activities Swimmers, particularly those in southern states and warm coastal waters, should expect a minimal risk of contracting a pathogen in warm freshwater lakes, rivers, brackish waters, and hot springs. — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 17 July 2026

People who cared for an infected baby would be at very high risk of contracting the virus. — Helen Branswell, STAT, 16 July 2026

How to reduce your risk of contracting cyclosporiasis The first step is to wash your hands with soap and water before handling produce. — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026

Yuba City resident Michelle Reinhart said the disease left her essentially paralyzed, unable to move her hands or head for about two weeks after contracting the disease in 2015. — Alula Alderson, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026

The extra heating deep down will also impact the future of these sub-Neptune planets, since the extra heat will keep their lower atmosphere bloated and prevent the planet from contracting over billions of years. — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 13 July 2026

Though the source of the infections has yet to be identified, experts recommend taking precautions with fresh produce and practicing good hygiene to reduce the risk of contracting the disease. — Devika Rao, TheWeek, 9 July 2026

The market is contracting, yet opportunities exist for individual brands to innovate and grow amid persistent hardware cost pressures. — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

The group arrives at the lake during mosquito season, triggering a buzz of paranoia amongst the local lake residents, fearing that Davey’s friends will expose them to contracting HIV from a mosquito bite. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 6 July 2026