contraction

[kuhn-trak-shuhn] / kənˈtræk ʃən /

NOUN

drawing in; shortening

Synonyms

STRONGEST

decrease deflation recession reduction shrinkage

STRONG

abbreviation abridgment compression condensation condensing confinement constriction curtailment diminution dwindling elision evaporation lessening narrowing omission receding reducing shrinking tightening withdrawal

WEAK

abbreviating abridging confining curtailing cutting down decreasing deflating diminishing drawing together evaporating lopping omitting shrivelling tensing withdrawing

Antonyms

STRONGEST

enlargement increase

STRONG

expansion opening

WEAK

amplification dilation extension lengthening spread stretch

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Cross, the Floridian who gave birth in October, said she felt like her back was breaking during contractions and begged to go to the hospital for an epidural.

From The Wall Street Journal

“We expect consolidation to halt the trend of industry revenue contraction over the last two years,” Citi analysts write in a note.

From The Wall Street Journal

Weaker signs were visible in employment, which continued to show contraction, albeit at a slower pace than in December.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Notably, new export orders returned to expansion territory after a contraction in December, primarily buoyed by increased demand from Southeast Asia and other overseas markets,” said Yao Yu, founder at RatingDog.

From The Wall Street Journal

China’s official gauges of factory, services and construction activity unexpectedly slipped into contraction at the start of 2026, signaling a cooling in economic growth.

From The Wall Street Journal

contraction

Example Sentences

Related Words