CONTRACTING Synonyms: 131 Similar and Opposite Words

contracting 1 of 2

noun

as in squeezing

the act or process of reducing the size or volume of something by or as if by pressing the contracting of the time frame for the primaries tends to favor candidates who are already well-known

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contracting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of contract

as in getting

to become affected with (a disease or disorder) before vaccines were invented, people lived in fear of contracting polio

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in shrinking

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in compressing

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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as in bargaining

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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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 contracting

Noun

That phrase appears in a contracting document for Acentra Health that was first reported on by independent journalists through the newsletter Popular Information. — Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026 Carla Chiorazzo was appointed CFO of Adolfson & Peterson Construction, a national construction management and contracting firm. — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026 Previously, contracting goals set by the city were based also on race and gender of the businesses. — Zaire Breedlove, Charlotte Observer, 3 Aug. 2026 Wickes approved a resolution authorizing Wilson-Henri as a contracting officer. — Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 2 Aug. 2026 Many of the promissory notes allegedly listed a Kansas City contracting company as the borrower. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026 Calling addiction a disease that breeds in isolation, Beshear worried people would stop seeking treatment for fear of contracting COVID-19. — Alex Acquisto, ProPublica, 30 July 2026 But until those requirements are formally published and MCOs have updated their systems, provider manuals and contracting terms accordingly, providers face a fragmented reality. — Valerie Cerra, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 Every contracting exemption described in this story is legal and was approved by the Legislature. — July 29, CBS News, 29 July 2026

Verb

McConnell has not been seen or heard in public since he was hospitalized in mid-June after suffering the fall at his home in Washington and then contracting pneumonia. — Kevin Breuninger,garrett Downs, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026 This summer’s cyclospora outbreak has triggered worries about contracting a nasty foodborne gastrointestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite. — Gina Vivinetto, NBC news, 4 Aug. 2026 While no deaths have been reported locally, on Monday, two Michigan residents died after contracting cyclosporiasis, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said. — Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026 The closure of these two spaces also doesn’t mean Gagosian is contracting. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 3 Aug. 2026 That said, if a single fly landed briefly on food that will be cooked thoroughly afterward, or on foods with a protective seal, the overall risk of contracting a foodborne illness is generally quite low, says Coffman. — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 1 Aug. 2026 The Elk Grove Unified School District will switch contracting companies for its crossing guard services this school year in a cost-saving move as the district works to reduce its budget deficit. — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026 Stripping out an entire age cohort in markets where usage is already contracting adds a further layer of uncertainty. — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 30 July 2026 However, much like organizations that are contracting, growth can also create complexity and obstacles for owners and leaders. — Nathan Mitchell, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contracting

Noun

So scientists use frequency-dependent squeezing to reduce quantum noise.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 22 May 2026
Maenpaa added that the physical act of squeezing creates a sensory anchor.

— Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 7 May 2026

Definition of squeezing

Verb

Tampa Bay used seven arms out of the bullpen, with Casey Legumina getting the start.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
So is controlling blood pressure, treating chronic conditions such as diabetes, avoiding smoking, limiting excessive alcohol use, getting enough sleep and maintaining a healthy weight.

— Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of getting

Verb

The 2025 report found that the Arctic experienced its warmest year on record, fueling melting glaciers, shrinking sea ice, and shifts in local ecosystems.

— Daniel Peck, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
Given China’s shrinking labor force and the effects of overproduction and climate change on its arable land, Beijing is likely to remain reliant on foreign food products in the coming years.

— Caitlin Welsh, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of shrinking

Verb

What's notable is that Betis is compressing that evolution into a single redevelopment rather than the incremental expansions typical of English clubs.

— Sam Leveridge, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
When force is applied, the pillar tilts toward the point of contact, compressing the corresponding chamber and pushing fluid through soft tubes to actuators.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 13 July 2026

Definition of compressing

Verb

This comes several days after Stanford football players created a campus chapter of the College Football Players Association, with the goal of collectively bargaining with the ACC.

— PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 2 Aug. 2026
No deployment date has been set for Hyundai’s Korean plants at all, so the union is bargaining pre-emptively, trying to lock in protections before the humanoid robots show up rather than after.

— John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of bargaining

Noun

Once she was moved to Boston, Clancy went into cardiac arrest and had to be revived with CPR and chest compressions, ICU nurse Rachelle Amedee said.

— Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
My grandparents have found that compression socks help relieve some of the discomfort and swelling that comes from prolonged restricted movement by stimulating circulation in your legs.

— Alexandra Domrongchai, Travel + Leisure, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of compression

Verb

Rogers, Rea, and Parks-Shaw all have emphasized the need to be proactive in decreasing the number of lawsuits filed against the Police Department.

— Freddrell Green, Kansas City Star, 6 Aug. 2026
Activity at Guatemala's Fuego volcano that began Monday morning and caused widespread evacuations is gradually decreasing, authorities said Wednesday.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of decreasing

Cite this Entry

Style

“Contracting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contracting. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of contracting

noun

verb

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