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.

"Creatine's role in muscle development is solely to provide energy for contraction and respiration, it is certainly not a substitute for steroids," Dr. Boroujerdi explains.

From Science Daily • May 4, 2026

The LEI fell 1% over the six months from September 2025 to March 2026, a slower rate than the 2.1% contraction in the prior six months.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

The overall contraction in the smartphone market has been partly the result of an ongoing memory shortage, which has constrained production and driven up the cost of components.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 27, 2026

One minute, she’d been in the bathroom, laboring through a contraction.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 25, 2026

I can see it in every eyelash, every contraction of her pupil.

From "The Adoration of Jenna Fox" by Mary E. Pearson

Vocabulary lists containing contraction

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