CONTRACT Synonyms: 150 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

contract 1 of 2

noun

ˈkän-ˌtrakt

Definition of contract

as in deal

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

as in agreement

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

contract

2 of 2

verb

ˈkän-ˌtrakt

as in to get

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

as in to shrink

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

After getting in touch with the company, Leverkusen tested the service through the end of last season, and this summer, the club signed a multiyear contract. — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Beloozerov was a systems administrator on a contract for the Department of Defense, a role that called for at least a secret-level security clearance, a former Maxar colleague involved in hiring Beloozerov told CNN. — Isabelle Chapman, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026

Verb

After the Kittrells' bankruptcy petition was filed, on November 11, 2024, MKHS Dispensary contracted with a company called A&R Consultants, LLC, to manage the Greenmed operations. — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Those who contract the virus usually see symptoms two to six days after a bite, the agency says. — Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contract

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contract

Noun

Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has overseen massive upgrades for the league, including a $2 billion media-rights deal, league expansion and salaries commensurate with her athletes’ profession.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
This reluctance to sell players beyond the big-ticket deals — Bale, Walker, Kane — had a profound strategic impact on the club.

— Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of deal

Noun

The agreement between the three US allies comes as Saudi Arabia faces threats on multiple fronts and would compel each country to intervene if another is attacked, much like the pact between NATO nations.

— Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
Williams also wanted to understand the agreement between the property owner and residents to help find suitable housing.

— Emily McLeod, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of agreement

Verb

Instead, in their wake, the league veered far in the other direction, taking the finesse out of the game and turning on-court play into a street fight, with officials unable or unwilling to get their arms round the physicality.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
The Bears haven’t ruled out the possibility of getting Trapilo at least some reps during training camp this month to test him out and rebuild his confidence in padded practices.

— Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of get

Verb

The entrepreneur’s efforts secured him a place on the list of the Philippines’ 50 richest in a challenging year when a weaker peso took a toll on the total wealth of the country’s tycoons, which shrank 8% to $79 billion.

— Naazneen Karmali, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
The league will also shrink in some ways, including moving from 14 events per year to 10 – five team and five individual events that will take place all over the world.

— Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of shrink

Verb

Unite Here Local 17, the union that represents the 500 Target Field concessions workers, says Delaware North failed to bargain in good faith by subcontracting Minnesota Funding Initiative volunteers.

— Aki Nace, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
The luxury tax was collectively bargained with a tax utilized to constrain owners from overspending the annual threshold.

— Barry M. Bloom, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of bargain

Noun

Of these, most of the mistakes were in incurring the liability in the first place, with probably at least a third of them being from personal guarantees being called.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Waiting for unsolicited forgiveness could mean months or years of uncertainty with no guarantee that the debt will ever be canceled.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of guarantee

Noun

With O’Leary now out of step with his two biggest members, Cinema United’s smaller exhibitors worry about how the internal fracture might jeopardize their future bargaining power, should the pact knock out another major supplier.

— Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 11 Aug. 2026
Public Eye is yet another product of NBCUniversal’s larger pact with Wolf Games, a generative AI startup co-founded by Elliot Wolf, executive producer and son of Law & Order creator Dick Wolf.

— Katie Campione, Deadline, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of pact

Cite this Entry

Style

“Contract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contract. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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verb

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Synonyms of contract

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

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Articles Related to contract

16 Terms of 'Agreement'

Cite this Entry

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'Gaslighting,' 'Woke,' 'Democracy,' and Other Top Lookups

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