contracting
7 synonyms for contracting, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Becoming smaller; drawing inward.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adjective
Becoming smaller; drawing inward.
“The contracting economy led to widespread job losses.”
2. noun
The business of taking on work under formal agreements, especially in construction.
“He has run a small contracting business for over a decade.”
How to use contracting
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
contracting firm
contracting party
a contracting market
Frequently asked questions
What does “contracting” mean?
The word “contracting” means becoming smaller; drawing inward. In plain terms, shrinking, or the trade of doing agreed work for clients.
How do you use “contracting” in a sentence?
Here is “contracting” used in a sentence: “The contracting economy led to widespread job losses.”
What part of speech is “contracting”?
Depending on how it is used, “contracting” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “contracting” a common word?
“Contracting” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “contracting” have?
“Contracting” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: becoming smaller; drawing inward.
What is the difference between "contracting" as an adjective and as a noun in business?
As an adjective, "contracting" describes something becoming smaller or drawing inward, such as "a contracting economy." As a noun, it refers to the business of taking on work under formal agreements, especially in construction, such as "he works in contracting."
What does "contracting" mean in the construction industry?
In construction, "contracting" refers to the business of taking on work under formal agreements, where a contractor is hired to complete a project according to a signed contract.
Is "contracting" the same as "shrinking"?
In its adjective sense, "contracting" and "shrinking" both describe something becoming smaller or drawing inward, and are often used interchangeably for things like muscles or economies. However, "contracting" is also used as a noun for the construction business, a meaning "shrinking" does not share.
