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
Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 7 Feb. 2026
In the days leading up to the deadline, Kalshi had several posts on X highlighting its event contracts on Antetokounmpo’s trade market and the fluctuating odds connected to the teams believed to be in the mix for his services.
—Jay Cohen, Fortune, 7 Feb. 2026
With eight expiring contracts on their books, they were bound to see this volume of turnover — either under their control at the deadline or at the whims of players over the summer.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
By converting up to two of those players, the Heat can create multiyear contracts with only minimum initial guarantees, affording team control beyond this season.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
The district is investigating employee travel, contracts and Brenda Smith internally, spokeswoman Ashley Verville said.
—Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 6 Feb. 2026
In a statement last week, agency chair Michael Selig announced the commission will move away from its 2024 rule proposal which sought to prohibit political and sports-related contracts.
—Alyssa Spady, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Other unions also pushing for improved contracts The 30,000 members of Local 99 also are working under terms of an expired contract, since June 30, 2024.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
College coaches have media requirements worked into their contracts.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2026
Joseph M. Singer, Deadline, 6 Feb. 2026
Currently, the village contracts with MyPestCrew to provide the program’s services.
—Jessi Virtusio, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
The release said that at the time of his arrest, the man was employed as a bus driver with a company that contracts with local schools.
—Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 23 Jan. 2026
Unlike Saratoga, which contracts with Santa Clara County for sheriff’s and fire services, Gilroy has its own police and fire departments.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2026
The first of the two alleged schemes accuses Herbert of soliciting at least $15,000 from an unnamed security company executive in exchange for pressuring city officials to award the company contracts with the city, including for services at NYCHA housing projects.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 13 Jan. 2026
Nonprofits are bracing for cuts to the city contracts their organizations depend on, and even the city’s public safety agencies could face further mandates from Broadnax to cut costs as the manager attempts to balance delivering high-cost, essential services amid shrinking revenues.
—Austin American Statesman, 12 Jan. 2026
The downstream consequences of the advisory committee’s decision cannot be ignored; adding public healthcare coverage for anyone who contracts such diseases will be necessary, since more cases of these diseases are certain to occur.
—Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
An adult who contracts hepatitis B has a 95% chance of clearing the virus.
—Jake Scott, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2026
Noun
Perry continued to preach the patient and long-term nature of his reshaping of the roster, emphasizing 2027-28 as when there will be salary cap flexibility when big contracts for Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan — and potentially Sabonis, if eventually traded — are off the books.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 7 Feb. 2026
In the days leading up to the deadline, Kalshi had several posts on X highlighting its event contracts on Antetokounmpo’s trade market and the fluctuating odds connected to the teams believed to be in the mix for his services.
—Jay Cohen, Fortune, 7 Feb. 2026
With eight expiring contracts on their books, they were bound to see this volume of turnover — either under their control at the deadline or at the whims of players over the summer.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
By converting up to two of those players, the Heat can create multiyear contracts with only minimum initial guarantees, affording team control beyond this season.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
The district is investigating employee travel, contracts and Brenda Smith internally, spokeswoman Ashley Verville said.
—Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 6 Feb. 2026
In a statement last week, agency chair Michael Selig announced the commission will move away from its 2024 rule proposal which sought to prohibit political and sports-related contracts.
—Alyssa Spady, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Other unions also pushing for improved contracts The 30,000 members of Local 99 also are working under terms of an expired contract, since June 30, 2024.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
College coaches have media requirements worked into their contracts.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2026
Verb
Remove the financial floor and the industry contracts permanently.
—Joseph M. Singer, Deadline, 6 Feb. 2026
Currently, the village contracts with MyPestCrew to provide the program’s services.
—Jessi Virtusio, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
The release said that at the time of his arrest, the man was employed as a bus driver with a company that contracts with local schools.
—Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 23 Jan. 2026
Unlike Saratoga, which contracts with Santa Clara County for sheriff’s and fire services, Gilroy has its own police and fire departments.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2026
The first of the two alleged schemes accuses Herbert of soliciting at least $15,000 from an unnamed security company executive in exchange for pressuring city officials to award the company contracts with the city, including for services at NYCHA housing projects.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 13 Jan. 2026
Nonprofits are bracing for cuts to the city contracts their organizations depend on, and even the city’s public safety agencies could face further mandates from Broadnax to cut costs as the manager attempts to balance delivering high-cost, essential services amid shrinking revenues.
—Austin American Statesman, 12 Jan. 2026
The downstream consequences of the advisory committee’s decision cannot be ignored; adding public healthcare coverage for anyone who contracts such diseases will be necessary, since more cases of these diseases are certain to occur.
—Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
An adult who contracts hepatitis B has a 95% chance of clearing the virus.
—Jake Scott, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contracts
Noun
-
In March, the Seahawks signed Jones to a three-year contract that includes $15 million in guarantees.—
Gary Klein,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
-
If the surety determines the principal will unlikely be able to meet their obligation under the bond, that is when things like collateral or additional guarantees are brought into play.—
Lori Ann LaRocco,
CNBC,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The 251 hostages taken in the attack were returned to Israel in various ceasefire agreements, with the remains of Israeli police officer Ran Gvili, the final body in Gaza.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Feb. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
The bill would still allow Irvine to complain to authorities if a neighbor’s party gets too loud.—
Mark Dee,
Idaho Statesman,
10 Feb. 2026
-
As the water boils and the microwave interior gets steamy, your kitchen will fill with the soothing smell.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This combination shrinks the outer bark while the inner cambium freezes and expands.—
Tammie Souza,
CBS News,
7 Feb. 2026
-
That’s unusual for this time of year, when inventory typically shrinks.—
Sara B. Hansen,
Denver Post,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In operation, the actuator compresses and holds the Ni-Ti tubes, causing the material to heat up.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Their terahertz microscope compresses long terahertz waves into a microscopic spot.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Younger shoppers are using chatbots for comparison shopping, finding deals, summarizing product reviews, and generating shopping lists.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
But economists warn that such projects typically are bad deals for taxpayers, because stadiums are closed most of the time, generate only temporary or part-time jobs, and largely take away spending from other types of entertainment.—
Robert McCoppin,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Ricardo Sheffield, a prominent Morena senator who was previously a member of the center-right National Action Party, has called for a review of oil pacts with Cuba.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
-
During the same period, New Delhi finalized pacts with Britain, New Zealand and Oman.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Although the paint job catches the eye, the new stands, which cost about $87,000 each, have several features that will be helpful to lifeguards and beachgoers.—
Lois K. Solomon,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Your keen insight catches what others miss — even a small domestic shift can turn nagging stress into quiet stability that feeds body and mind!—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contracts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contracts. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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