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contract Synonyms

Another word for contract

Choosing another word for contract depends on context, so the 46 synonyms and similar words below are separated across 8 exact definitions and ranked by match strength.
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• noun (Context 1)

A written or spoken agreement, especially one concerning employment, sales, or tenancy, that is intended to be enforceable by law; or the official document recording such an agreement.

Usage Example

"Both parties reviewed the terms carefully before signing the three-year employment agreement."

Strongest
agreement
Strong
compact
covenant
pact
bond
treaty
settlement
deal
Weak
bargain
understanding

• verb (Context 2)

To enter into a formal and legally binding agreement to perform work, supply goods, or undertake an obligation.

Usage Example

"The municipality contracted with a local engineering company to repair the historic bridge."

Strong
undertake
covenant
pledge
agree
commit
engage
commission
stipulate

• verb (Context 3)

To decrease in size, number, or range; or to cause something (such as a muscle, pupil, or metal) to draw together, tighten, or shrink.

Usage Example

"Most metals expand when heated and shrink as they cool down."

Strongest
shrink
constrict
Strong
tighten
compress
condense
narrow
diminish
dwindle
decrease
Weak
shrivel

• adjective (Context 4)

Engaged, hired, or supplied under the terms of a formal agreement for a specified period or project rather than as a permanent employee.

Usage Example

"The firm hired several contractual software engineers to help complete the database migration on schedule."

Strongest
contractual
Strong
freelance
temporary
Weak
independent

• verb (Context 5)

To catch or develop an illness or infectious disease; or to incur a financial debt or legal liability.

Usage Example

"Travelers are advised to take precautions so they do not catch malaria while visiting tropical regions."

Strongest
catch
Strong
develop
incur
come down with
acquire
pick up

• verb (Context 6)

To shorten a word or phrase by omitting internal letters or sounds and combining the remaining elements (such as turning "do not" into "don't").

Usage Example

"In everyday spoken English, speakers routinely abbreviate auxiliary verbs with pronouns."

Strong
abbreviate
shorten
elide
abridge
truncate

• noun (Context 7)

In the card game of bridge, the highest bid of a hand, specifying the number of tricks the declarer's side undertakes to win and the trump suit (or no-trump).

Usage Example

"North and South reached a bold undertaking of six spades and managed to make every trick."

Strong
undertaking
Weak
bid

• noun (Context 8)

An informal arrangement or order for a hired assassin to kill a specified target for payment.

Usage Example

"In the crime thriller, the detective discovers that a rival syndicate had put out a hit on the witness."

Strongest
hit
Strong
bounty

Opposites of contract

The opposite of contract shifts depending on context. Common opposites include:

expand
dilate
permanent
enlarge
swell
in-house
renege
stretch
See all opposites of contract

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Synonyms for Contract. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/synonyms/contract
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