1
as in guarantees
a formal agreement to fulfill an obligation
accused her of breaking their contract by not completing the decorating job on budget
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in agreements
an arrangement about action to be taken
a contract outlining what needed to be done by each person
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in gets
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 shrinks
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 compresses
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in covenants
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
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of contracts
Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 2 May 2026
Spilka said that both the Senate and the House provide the auditor with financial information every year, and that the public can find procurements, contracts, expenditures and salaries on the state Comptroller’s website.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 2 May 2026
Starliner was supposed to share astronaut ferry duties alongside SpaceX’s Crew Dragon when Boeing and SpaceX were originally awarded contracts in 2014 to develop spacecraft to launch from Florida and end NASA’s reliance on Russia after the end of the Space Shuttle Program in 2011.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 May 2026
Although both SpaceX and Blue Origin have NASA contracts, SpaceX had been expected to provide the vehicle that would land astronauts on the Moon as part of the Artemis III mission.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 May 2026
In the lawsuit, Onka alleged that despite stepping down, Dustman remains employed or paid by the city in a position in the city manager’s office, which the lawsuit alleges violated Missouri laws on contracts and was not subject to city council approval.
—Ben Wheeler
may 1, Kansas City Star, 1 May 2026
And one of the contracts was not renewed because department leaders determined the time-savings gained from the AI tool was not worth the cost.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026
United Auto Workers members at American Axle will vote in more than a week on whether to authorize a strike when their contracts expire at the end of the month, the union said on Friday.
—Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 1 May 2026
The court’s decision could be described as a contracts law equivalent of two people not being forced to marry after they got engaged and their courtship soured.
—Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 May 2026
Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 23 Apr. 2026
An aging society, combined with the sorry state of hospitals, means that the overall number of deaths keeps rising even as the population contracts.
—Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
But in two post-conviction cases involving allegations against Kato, Maria McCarthy, the special prosecutor appointed to replace Foxx’s office, now contracts with Burke to prosecute other cases.
—Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
Parents or caretakers of any unvaccinated child who contracts the virus are advised to make sure the child has lots of fluids.
—Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
Gang violence gripping Port-au-Prince disrupts aid delivery and goods transportation, leaving families in the Western Hemisphere’s poorest country with impossible survival choices as the economy contracts for the seventh year.
—Evens Sanon, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026
While the city contracts with about 20 non-governmental organizations for homeless services and even more subcontractors, Mitchell contended the city applies few or no performance metrics to them.
—Steven Mihailovich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026
The town contracts with Flock for its ALPRs.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026
Animal Control contracts an outside vendor, PetData, to handle licensing on its behalf.
—Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 6 Apr. 2026
Noun
One of the groups that has complained for years about a lack of funding has been the nonprofits that provide services under contracts with the state.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 2 May 2026
Spilka said that both the Senate and the House provide the auditor with financial information every year, and that the public can find procurements, contracts, expenditures and salaries on the state Comptroller’s website.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 2 May 2026
Starliner was supposed to share astronaut ferry duties alongside SpaceX’s Crew Dragon when Boeing and SpaceX were originally awarded contracts in 2014 to develop spacecraft to launch from Florida and end NASA’s reliance on Russia after the end of the Space Shuttle Program in 2011.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 May 2026
Although both SpaceX and Blue Origin have NASA contracts, SpaceX had been expected to provide the vehicle that would land astronauts on the Moon as part of the Artemis III mission.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 May 2026
In the lawsuit, Onka alleged that despite stepping down, Dustman remains employed or paid by the city in a position in the city manager’s office, which the lawsuit alleges violated Missouri laws on contracts and was not subject to city council approval.
—Ben Wheeler
may 1, Kansas City Star, 1 May 2026
And one of the contracts was not renewed because department leaders determined the time-savings gained from the AI tool was not worth the cost.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026
United Auto Workers members at American Axle will vote in more than a week on whether to authorize a strike when their contracts expire at the end of the month, the union said on Friday.
—Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 1 May 2026
The court’s decision could be described as a contracts law equivalent of two people not being forced to marry after they got engaged and their courtship soured.
—Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 May 2026
Verb
The city contracts with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement services.
—Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 23 Apr. 2026
An aging society, combined with the sorry state of hospitals, means that the overall number of deaths keeps rising even as the population contracts.
—Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
But in two post-conviction cases involving allegations against Kato, Maria McCarthy, the special prosecutor appointed to replace Foxx’s office, now contracts with Burke to prosecute other cases.
—Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
Parents or caretakers of any unvaccinated child who contracts the virus are advised to make sure the child has lots of fluids.
—Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
Gang violence gripping Port-au-Prince disrupts aid delivery and goods transportation, leaving families in the Western Hemisphere’s poorest country with impossible survival choices as the economy contracts for the seventh year.
—Evens Sanon, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026
While the city contracts with about 20 non-governmental organizations for homeless services and even more subcontractors, Mitchell contended the city applies few or no performance metrics to them.
—Steven Mihailovich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026
The town contracts with Flock for its ALPRs.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026
Animal Control contracts an outside vendor, PetData, to handle licensing on its behalf.
—Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 6 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contracts
Noun
-
Technically, these guarantees are up for negotiation in every rookie contract.—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
Warranty Most full-coverage recliner slipcovers won’t actually have warranties, although several will have 10-year guarantees at the very least.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
According to an i3 representative, the company has rights-of-way agreements with Libertyville, Wauconda, Lake Zurich, Vernon Hills, Warren Township, Grayslake, Antioch, Winthrop Harbor, Lake Villa, Lindenhurst, Cary — which is primarily in McHenry County — and Mundelein.—
Joseph States,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Finance Chief Sarah Friar has expressed concerns over the company's ability to fund future compute agreements if the revenue slowdown continues, the outlet reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Rodriguez is happy to see things coming together as conference play gets into full swing.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The active material, a liquid crystal elastomer (LCE), is a key polymer that physically shrinks when heated.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
1 May 2026
-
The hippocampus, the seat of memory, shrinks.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Ackerly explains what happens when AI compresses all of that.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The memory foam feels plush yet supportive, and the pillow compresses down to fit easily in a carry-on when not in use.—
Samantha Leal,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
For Braylon, one of the most consequential shots in March Madness history opened doors in this new age of NIL compensation and endorsement deals, which had an equalizing factor in his decision between going off to the NBA as a likely first-round pick or spending another year in college.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Sign up to The Selection newsletter for hands-on product reviews, expert shopping tips and a look at the best deals and sales each week.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Pickett and Grier are signed to one-year pacts.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Apr. 2026
-
But the deals are done project by project, rather than via the older model of pacts that paid out millions in development funds and compensation over three or four years.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In Bend, Oregon, Outdoor Adventure Belongs to Everyone On a visit to this adventure magnet, Sophie Morgan goes for a trek in the high desert in an off-roading wheelchair and catches an outdoor concert, washed down, of course, with a few pints of local craft beer.—
Hannah Wallace,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Curtis just didn’t show much as a pass catcher in college (13 catches for 167 yards and two touchdowns in 2025).—
Zack Rosenblatt,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contracts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contracts. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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