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.

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

From BBC • Jun. 12, 2026

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

This compares with a 0.3% increase in March and a 0.6% rise over the first quarter, and marks the first contraction since August.

From The Wall Street Journal • 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

Isn’t it time we admitted that the contraction has earned its place in the sun?

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner

Vocabulary lists containing contraction

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