contract
To become smaller or shorter.
contract in a sentence
- Metal will contract as it cools down.
- Your muscles contract when you lift something heavy.
Try an 11+ style question
Verbal reasoning papers often ask about a word like this.
Which word is closest in meaning to contract?
- Aswell
- Bexpand
- Cstretch
- Dshrink
Show the answer
D: shrink. The other three mean the opposite of contract.
Which word is most nearly opposite in meaning to contract?
- Aexpand
- Btighten
- Cnarrow
- Dshrink
Show the answer
A: expand. The other three mean nearly the same as contract.
Words that mean something similar
shrink, tighten, narrow
Words that mean the opposite
expand, swell, stretch
More words about size & amount
- cram: To squeeze too many things into a small space.
- cumbersome: Heavy and awkward to carry or use.
- dearth: A shortage of something, so there is not enough to go around.
- dense: Packed closely together, or very thick.
- deplete: To use something up until very little is left.
- destitute: Having no money and none of the things you need to live.
- diluted: Made weaker or thinner by adding water or another liquid.
- dwindle: To become smaller or fewer, little by little.
More words to explore
Sitting the 11+ in Kent, Medway or Buckinghamshire?
Plain-English guides to each test, from the councils’ own pages: Kent Test · Medway Test · Bucks Secondary Transfer Test