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

In the lawsuit, investors alleged they were led to believe that a groundbreaking Wondermind app would be made, advertising deals would be struck, and celebrity cover stories were already underway.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2026
Parton was working on a new Nashville museum and hotel, deals to endorse Purina dog treats and launch her Cup of Ambition coffee brand.

— Isabelle Farina, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of deal

Noun

The industry expectation is that there will be a lockout come December and that the sides won’t be able to reach an agreement until the spring at the earliest.

— Evan Drellich, New York Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Cloud service agreements totaled $29 billion, with data center leases not commenced of $25 billion, equity investments of $25 billion, and capital expenditures of $8 billion.

— Zev Fima, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of agreement

Verb

Police had initially tried to pull over Shelton's vehicle, a 2006 Honda Civic, near Rodney Parham Road and Mississippi Street, but the vehicle fled through several streets and got away, Little Rock police said in a news release.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Aug. 2026
The service got its name from the original Mechanical Turk, an 18th century chess-playing robot that was actually controlled by a human chess master.

— Annie Palmer, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of get

Verb

Nvidia also said that Amazon Web Services would purchase 2 million of its graphic processors, offering an encouraging sign for investors worried that hyperscaler spending could shrink.

— Alex Harring, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
While doing so has helped millions of individuals access the power of electronics, the shrinking size of transistors is presenting problems at mass manufacturing scales.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 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

In his first major move six months into the multi-year pact, Wyle has brought in veteran TV executive Jeremy Gold as Head of Development and Production.

— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026
Netflix announced a pact with Langue to bring his two YouTube channels — The Kevin Langue Show and Kevin Langue 2 — to the service.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of pact

Cite this Entry

Style

“Contract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contract. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of contract

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

16 Terms of 'Agreement'

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on contract

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes

Synonyms of contract

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to contract

16 Terms of 'Agreement'

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on contract

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes