Meaning & use
Contracted
Last updated
Reduced in size or scope, entered into a formal agreement, or acquired an illness.
See it in a sentence
The company contracted with a local firm to handle deliveries.
The economy contracted for the second consecutive quarter.
A note on using this word
Covers three distinct meanings: shrinking, agreeing formally to terms, and catching an illness — context determines which applies.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
expanded
Another way to use it
2. verb
Acquired a disease or illness.
He contracted malaria while traveling abroad.
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