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.

April's contraction was the first monthly fall since August last year, but had been forecast by economists after stronger than expected growth in March.

From BBC • Jun. 12, 2026

Gregory said the contraction in April "showed the strong start to the year is now faltering".

From BBC • Jun. 12, 2026

Excluding the Covid-19 pandemic contraction and a similar decline in output during the 2008-09 financial crisis, that would mark the weakest year since 1991.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

The jobs data precedes a Bank of Canada policy committee meeting next week, following a second straight quarterly economic contraction.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

There was something I needed to explain to Anatole, but I couldn’t be bothered with it at the peak of a contraction.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

Vocabulary lists containing contraction

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