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

Retail sales fell in April as consumer confidence slumped, while business surveys point to a possible contraction in the economy during the second quarter.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026

In new forecasts due at its meeting next week, the ECB may pencil in a contraction in second-quarter activity too.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

Scientists wonder about what happens in an oscillating universe at the cusps, at the transition from contraction to expansion.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

Vocabulary lists containing contraction

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