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.

The GDP report badly missed Bank of Canada and market expectations for growth of about 1.5% annualized, and triggered talk of a recession because of the two straight quarters of economic contraction.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026

The employment index also grew from the previous month but remained in contraction.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026

But job growth -- often used as a proxy for economic activity -- has see-sawed wildly between expansion and contraction from month to month.

From Barron's • May 22, 2026

In this view, the Big Bang evolved from conditions in a preceding contraction.

From Science Daily • May 22, 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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