contract 1 of 2

noun

ˈkän-ˌtrakt How to pronounce contract (audio)
Definition of contractnext
1
as in deal
a formal agreement to fulfill an obligation accused her of breaking their contract by not completing the decorating job on budget

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2
as in agreement
an arrangement about action to be taken a contract outlining what needed to be done by each person

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contract

2 of 2

verb

ˈkän-ˌtrakt How to pronounce contract (audio)
1
as in to get
to become affected with (a disease or disorder) before vaccines were invented, people lived in fear of contracting polio

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2
as in to shrink
to become smaller in size or volume through the drawing together of particles of matter metal contracts at low temperatures

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3
as in to compress
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
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

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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

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
United Teachers Los Angeles, which represents about 37,000 teachers, and SEIU Local 99, which represents roughly 30,000 school support staff, have already set April 14 as a potential strike date if contract agreements are not reached with the district. —Teresa Liu, Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026 More than 80% of the players are free agents this year, as many players have expiring contracts or opted out of the previous collective bargaining agreement. —Anne M. Peterson, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
Dallas handles transition Previously, Dallas contracted with Fair Park First to manage the park, which in turn hired Oak View Group to run day-to-day operations. —Aria Jones, Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026 The Department of Defense wanted to stop all military suppliers from contracting with the AI company after a row in which Anthropic refused to allow its products to power domestic surveillance or fully autonomous weapons. —Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 27 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contract
  1. deal
  2. agreement
  3. get
  4. shrink
  5. compress
  6. bargain
  7. guarantee
  8. pact
Noun
  • Shah Alam was released on bail this month after agreeing to a plea deal, according to the district attorney's office.
    — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
  • The Gables-Opoly initiative, for example, helped Martinez secure a deal to do promotional products for the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
    — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of deal
Noun
  • Start by reading the contract – that's the agreement between you and the car rental company.
    — Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
  • One lawsuit, filed against Guadalupe Centers by former human resources director Shirley Folch, was eventually dismissed by agreement from the two sides last year, while another, filed against Guadalupe Centers Charter Schools by former Superintendent James Hammen, remains pending.
    — Nathan Pilling March 31, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of agreement
Verb
  • Don’t hesitate to step away if things get too heated.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 4 Apr. 2026
  • A lot of the Mustangs’ strategy against the Wolverines was to get the ball out wide and then double that kid and just try to frustrate Wakeland which Grapevine did time and time again.
    — Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of get
Verb
  • Telescopes and microscopes were everywhere by then, shrinking and stretching the Earth and sky and, in the process, expanding archaeological time from centuries to eons.
    — Kathryn Hughes, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
  • If the overall workforce continues to shrink, even fewer new jobs will be needed to incorporate workers entering the labor force, such as recent college graduates or parents who put their careers on hold for a few years.
    — Rob Wile, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of shrink
Verb
  • Naturally, over time, the materials inside our mattress will compress under the weight, shift or wear down, all of which can ultimately lead to poor spinal alignment and compromised sleep positioning.
    — Sharon Brandwein, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Several people compressing the traditional learning curve.
    — Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of compress
Verb
  • It’s believed that the list of teams that get competitive balance picks is collectively bargained.
    — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
  • The military buildup gives the president optionality, not just to strike, but to bargain from strength, Cohen noted.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of bargain
Noun
  • The Cuban-American entrepreneurs cited the lack of legal guarantees for investing in Cuba under current laws as one key concern holding up any desire to contribute to economic progress on the island.
    — Sarah Moreno Updated April 1, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026
  • In the late 19th century, the Supreme Court clarified that the guarantee extends to the children of immigrants.
    — Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of guarantee
Noun
  • The union is not releasing details of the pact until after union members participate in a ratification vote, which will take place within the next few days.
    — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Brown told reporters the agreement with New Zealand didn’t affect his country’s other pacts.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of pact

Browse Nearby Words

contrabandists
contract
contracted
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Cite this Entry

“Contract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contract. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on contract

Nglish: Translation of contract for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about contract

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