Games

Word of the Day

Video

Blog: Words at Play

My Faves

Thesaurus

contract

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of CONTRACT

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

Synonyms catch, come down (with), get, go down (with) [chiefly British], sicken (with), take

Related Words break out (with); die (from), succumb (to); fail, languish, sink, waste (away), weaken, wilt, wither, worsen

Near Antonyms come back, gain, heal, mend, recoup, recover, recuperate, snap back; rally, rebound, recover (from), shake (off)

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

Synonyms compress, condense, constrict, shrink

Related Words collapse, deflate, flatten; dry up, shrivel, wilt, wither; abate, decrease, diminish, dwindle, lessen; recede, retreat, withdraw

Near Antonyms accumulate, grow, increase; balloon, inflate, puff (up)

Antonyms balloon, expand, snowball, swell

to reduce in size or volume by or as if by pressing parts or members together <contract the calf muscles in your legs>

Synonyms capsule, capsulize, collapse, compact, condense, constrict, constringe, contract, narrow (down), squeeze, telescope

Near Antonyms dilate, disperse, dissipate, scatter; distend, inflate, swell

Antonyms decompress, expand, open, outspread, outstretch

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 bargain, contract, covenant

Related Words come around, come round; subscribe, underwrite; arrange, settle

Near Antonyms differ, dissent; cancel, renege, revoke; argue, contest, dispute, object

Antonyms disagree

Learn More About

Dictionary: Definition of "contract"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "contract"

Medical Dictionary: Definition of "contract"

Nglish: Translation of "contract" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "contract" for Arabic speakers

Browse

Seen & Heard

What made you want to look up contract[verb]? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

View Seen & Heard Highlights from Around the Site

Test Your Vocabulary!

10 Charming Words for Nasty People

Put-downs with flair

Learn More

When "Literally" isn't, well, literal

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

Watch Now

Know what this is?

Test your vocab with our fun, fast game

Go Play

Fear of cats?

Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears

Learn More