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

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

Summary The Philadelphia Phillies dramatically cut Nick Castellanos before the season, despite his significant contract and a key role in their 2022 World Series appearance. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 Hydrogels can swell or contract in response to water and other environmental conditions. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026

Verb

Fewer than 10 people typically die of the illness each year, but nearly everyone who contracts it dies, according to the CDC. — Charlotte Observer, 29 Aug. 2026 When heated to 170 degrees Celsius, the ring contracted and squeezed the battery. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contract

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contract

Noun

Shop more outlet deals below, including an elegant candleholder, a luxe ottoman, and slim patio sofa.

— Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Sep. 2026
Below, find last-chance deals on summer sandals, fall-ready booties, ultra-cute ballet flats, and more for up to 79 percent off.

— Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of deal

Noun

According to the investigation, the Clippers broke league rules by initiating off-court income opportunities and facilitating endorsement agreements between Leonard and four companies that also did business with the team.

— Josh Feldman, NBC news, 3 Sep. 2026
Hours after City lost 3-0 to Arsenal in Cardiff, news broke of an agreement with Barcelona for Rodri.

— Tim Spiers, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of agreement

Verb

When the earnings release first hit the tape, the stock initially moved higher by a couple of percentage points, only to reverse course before the conference call even got underway.

— Zev Fima, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
But then Sandy stops by for a friendly chat, and his daughter Nina (Zosia Mamet, ice-cold and slightly underused) gets serious.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of get

Verb

Unless those policies change, a shrinking workforce will cause slower economic growth and lead to more expensive public debt.

— Stuart Anderson, Washington Post, 3 Sep. 2026
This is in part because, whether owing to shrinking foreign-news budgets or to a reluctance to have individual correspondents expound on such a broad array of topics and countries, careers like Ascherson’s barely exist anymore.

— Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of shrink

Verb

The core issue is that this gas is normally compressed when injected at depth underground.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
Queues in the major markets run for years, new transmission runs longer, and no amount of capital compresses a utility approval process that was designed for a different century.

— Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of compress

Verb

However, the two parties met to bargain the four-day mandate in late April — more than two months before the mandate started.

— Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 21 Aug. 2026
The Teamsters have been enthusiastically endorsing the bill specifically because, while 40-something employers would be difficult to collectively bargain against, DSP workers would be much easier to organize once within Amazon.

— Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of bargain

Noun

Along the way, the audience can expect tons of humiliation, terrible second prizes, and the guarantee that Robertson will turn at least one poor soul's wrong turn into several minutes of unhinged public destruction.

— Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026
Marley Spoon says its products are backed by a freshness and quality guarantee for four days after a subscription box arrives.

— Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of guarantee

Noun

The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in the Hague on Monday ruled in Pakistan's favor over the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, saying the historic pact remains fully binding and that India had no valid grounds for ending or suspending it.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
The negotiators of the original pact did not need to contemplate how the three countries would implement complementary subsidies, investment restrictions, or export controls, as such policies were not then in vogue.

— Chad P. Bown, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of pact

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Style

“Contract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contract. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of contract

noun

verb

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