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contract

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verb

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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
Amid its successful lunar landing, forthcoming Alpha launch, and a new launch contract, Firefly is having one heck of a week. Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 7 Mar. 2025 Dudek did not immediately provide a reason for terminating the Enumeration at Birth contract. Patrick Whittle and Fatima Hussein, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
Hantavirus can be contracted from exposure to excrement from a mouse species that carries the virus. Alex Sundby, CBS News, 7 Mar. 2025 Since then, nearly 160 people have contracted the illness and 22 have been hospitalized. Sheryl Gay Stolberg, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for contract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contract
Noun
  • That day, Roberts praised what Counsell’s deal would mean for the market for managers throughout the sport.
    Fabian Ardaya, The Athletic, 7 Mar. 2025
  • If a deal can be closed with DiCaprio, the biggest priority at this point, sources say a shoot could be underway this summer.
    Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • As peace talks progress, Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are expected to sign an agreement that grants the U.S. access to Ukraine's critical minerals, a move that Trump believes would deter further Russian aggression by building an economic presence in the country.
    Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
  • The first seems to be a nuclear agreement with Iran.
    Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Watkins made some bad decisions in traffic, and the Bruins were able to get away with some contact in the paint.
    Sabreena Merchant, The Athletic, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Forbes Daily: Join over 1 million Forbes Daily subscribers and get our best stories, exclusive reporting and essential analysis of the day’s news in your inbox every weekday.
    Nick Crain, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The team found that mature giant kelp beds shrank after the 2016 Soberanes fire in Monterey County, the 2017 Thomas fire in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, and the 2018 Woolsey fire in the Santa Monica Mountains.
    Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2025
  • With interest rates remaining high, corporate margins are shrinking, forcing businesses to cut back.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Short bursts around the black hole are likely caused by disturbances in the disk—compressing plasma to produce a temporary flash of radiation.
    Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025
  • In court, his lawyers argued that officers compressed his chest with their body weight, leading him to asphyxiate.
    Sharon Bernstein, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Lula was a union leader, and is willing to bargain, willing to settle.
    Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 27 Feb. 2025
  • This summer, Equity and the Broadway League will bargain for a new Production Contract, the collective bargaining agreement governing Broadway shows.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 27 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • And there was no guarantee that getting traded to a playoff team would have been beneficial to him either.
    Arpon Basu, The Athletic, 6 Mar. 2025
  • But Licht knows how there are no guarantees in free agency, just as there are none in the draft.
    Rick Stroud, Orlando Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Under the pact, Daniels will develop and executive produce comedy, drama and limited series for linear networks and streamers through his Lee Daniels Entertainment banner, with an emphasis on platforms across Disney Entertainment Television.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2025
  • For every pact, Merlin Entertainments and the LEGO Group promise to help underserved children and their families enjoy playtime at LEGOLAND Resorts as well.
    Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Contract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contract. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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