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

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
The county is considering a proposal that would remove supervisors’ final decision-making power in contract disputes involving sheriff’s deputies and firefighters. —Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026 Organizers said Montefiore and Mount Sinai nurses voted overwhelmingly to ratify the new 3-year contract after picketing through some of the city's coldest weather. —John Dias, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
This could also be contracted to hyperscalers, introducing even more upside for the stock. —Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 6 Feb. 2026 The amendment also cements that outside vendors contracted for requests for proposals should follow county procurement and ethics requirements. —Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 5 Feb. 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
  • Details on the humanoid robot As part of the initial deal, Generative Bionics will develop the robot to support specific welding activities in naval manufacturing.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Feb. 2026
  • But Chicago lawmakers have suggested that any deal would need some way to pay off the remaining debt of more than $500 million for the 2003 renovation of Soldier Field.
    — Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of deal
Noun
  • Health officials are working to secure more agreements with pharmaceutical companies to expand the selection of prescription drugs on the platform.
    — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
  • The truth is that the chief has not adequately addressed questions related to the implementation of the agreement.
    — Thomas Kennedy, Sun Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of agreement
Verb
  • And the other function of music media is learning more, getting deeper into fandom, learning more about the lives of a lot of musicians, many of whom don’t necessarily need a magazine or music media to put their image out there for them.
    — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 14 Feb. 2026
  • This latest iteration, which builds on the 2024 version by adding a voter ID provision, must get 60 votes to pass.
    — Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of get
Verb
  • The logic behind this is that supermassive black hole binaries, which spiral together to lead to collisions and mergers, emit gravitational waves of increasing frequency as their orbits shrink, creating a background hum of gravitational waves.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Longer term labor force challenges will be found, particularly the shrinking 16-to 24-year-old population, according to the report.
    — Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of shrink
Verb
  • None of these would form the loose, granular snow conditions that compress under skis on Earth and Pluto's gravity only makes things worse.
    — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Theoretically, the plasmas collide in the fusion chamber and are compressed by magnets around the machine.
    — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of compress
Verb
  • The United Auto Workers union has reached a tentative agreement in Chattanooga, Tennessee, signaling what may be the end of a long and drawn-out negotiation period as the union and Volkswagen bargained over the first contract at the plant.
    — Liam Rappleye, Freep.com, 5 Feb. 2026
  • With trust, members can bargain in smaller coalitions—and, with hard work, engage in durable policy-making.
    — Hayleigh Colombo, IndyStar, 4 Feb. 2026
Definition of bargain
Noun
  • President Zelensky said the attack demonstrates diplomacy cannot end the war without sustained international pressure and binding security guarantees for Ukraine.
    — Illia Novikov, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
  • This weekend’s potential for strong storms is far from a guarantee.
    — Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of guarantee
Noun
  • Framed by a meta-narrative exploring the price of artistic creation, the film unfolds through multiple standalone stories linked by a demonic pact.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Late last year, the Lake Station Board of Works and New Chicago forged a pact calling for Lake Station to provide ambulance service for $50,000 annually, according to Long, who said the contract would be reviewed at the end of the year.
    — Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 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 15 Feb. 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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