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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of contracts
Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
John Gudvangen, Denver Thanks to the editorial board for its call for greater scrutiny of education consulting contracts.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
Only an immense draft package could even create a degree of sway, and even then, would have to be accompanied by expiring, non-cap-clogging contracts.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
Even though both those returning starters are entering the final year of their contracts, inside linebacker is up there with tailback and defense tackles as luxury picks for the Dolphins.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2026
Republicans have criticized Padilla’s and Weber’s decisions to grant contracts to firms connected to Democrats.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 25 Apr. 2026
MnDOT has been utilizing this contracting method since 2016, awarding more than $91 million for 1,270 contracts to 270 small business contractors in that time.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 24 Apr. 2026
All four Bears safeties were up for new contracts this offseason, and last year’s starters — free safety Kevin Byard III and strong safety Jaquan Brisker — found new homes in free agency.
—Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
The Defense Production Act is an emergency power typically used to compel private sector companies to prioritize government contracts and increase supplies of critical goods.
—Olivia Rinaldi, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
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
The Washington Post reported that Mendoza Hernandez was in critical condition, citing a spokesperson for the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office, which Patterson contracts with for police services.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 7 Apr. 2026
Animal Control contracts an outside vendor, PetData, to handle licensing on its behalf.
—Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 6 Apr. 2026
The 920-page Project 2025 also calls for privatizing TSA screening by expanding the Screening Partnership Program to all airports or by shifting screening operations to a new government corporation that contracts with private companies.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026
The company sends out emails, mail, promotional material, hosts events and contracts people to do door-knocking.
—Jessica Ma, Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
Yeah, another year each on their contracts.
—Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
John Gudvangen, Denver Thanks to the editorial board for its call for greater scrutiny of education consulting contracts.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
Only an immense draft package could even create a degree of sway, and even then, would have to be accompanied by expiring, non-cap-clogging contracts.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
Even though both those returning starters are entering the final year of their contracts, inside linebacker is up there with tailback and defense tackles as luxury picks for the Dolphins.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2026
Republicans have criticized Padilla’s and Weber’s decisions to grant contracts to firms connected to Democrats.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 25 Apr. 2026
MnDOT has been utilizing this contracting method since 2016, awarding more than $91 million for 1,270 contracts to 270 small business contractors in that time.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 24 Apr. 2026
All four Bears safeties were up for new contracts this offseason, and last year’s starters — free safety Kevin Byard III and strong safety Jaquan Brisker — found new homes in free agency.
—Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
The Defense Production Act is an emergency power typically used to compel private sector companies to prioritize government contracts and increase supplies of critical goods.
—Olivia Rinaldi, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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
The Washington Post reported that Mendoza Hernandez was in critical condition, citing a spokesperson for the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office, which Patterson contracts with for police services.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 7 Apr. 2026
Animal Control contracts an outside vendor, PetData, to handle licensing on its behalf.
—Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 6 Apr. 2026
The 920-page Project 2025 also calls for privatizing TSA screening by expanding the Screening Partnership Program to all airports or by shifting screening operations to a new government corporation that contracts with private companies.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026
The company sends out emails, mail, promotional material, hosts events and contracts people to do door-knocking.
—Jessica Ma, Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contracts
Noun
-
This is not an area where spending more guarantees better results.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The reality is that the United States cannot permanently end this war without making bold decisions that leave no party satisfied but that offer guarantees to permanently end the fighting.—
Alexander Langlois,
Oc Register,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
To this end, the District has negotiated tirelessly with PEA leadership and reached tentative agreements on several important issues.—
Julia Avant,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
At its core, Zionism embraces the idea of regional coexistence, reflected in Israel’s long-standing efforts to pursue peace, from its agreements with Egypt and Jordan to the Abraham Accords and other regional initiatives.—
Elad Strohmayer,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Laurence’s tres leches gets a lot of praise for its crumb texture.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The coming months will bring more announcements and more excitement as June 2026 gets closer.—
Taylor Haught,
Kansas City Star,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Exercise also increases levels of BDNF, a growth factor that helps maintain the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for forming new and long-term memories, and one that often shrinks in dementia, said Ashwini Nadkarni, assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
-
If Republicans’ majority shrinks — or Democrats win control of the Senate in November — Republicans would have a much harder time confirming a conservative justice.—
Cate Martel,
The Hill,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Moisture can influence the leather and core, changing how the ball compresses at impact.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Pepsi faced bogus charges for making volume deals that let families buy soda 12-packs for a few bucks — not at boutique pricing of a dollar per can.—
Stephen Moore,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
-
John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan know that having two solid contributors on cheap deals is vastly superior to having one overpriced guy who is statistically no better than the field.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Most of those deals have come on one-year pacts.—
Mike Kaye
April 20,
Charlotte Observer,
20 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
-
This is terrific value for the Jets — Taylor could be an instant-impact three-down weapon who catches a bunch of passes for a long time.—
Sam Warren,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Lemon is highly productive (79 catches for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns last season) and an ace at yards after catch but would be a bit of a surprising pick at 11 because 1).—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contracts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contracts. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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