contract crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome! If you're struggling with the crossword clue "contract crossword clue", you've come to the right place. Below you'll find a comprehensive list of possible answers, sorted by letter count, along with helpful explanations to crack your puzzle.
Solutions for "contract crossword clue" by Letter Count
4 Letters
PACT: A formal agreement or treaty, often implying a binding commitment.
5 Letters
CATCH: To acquire or become infected with a disease.
6 Letters
SHRINK: To become smaller in size or amount, or to cause something to do so.
7 Letters
ACQUIRE: To gain possession of something, or to develop (a quality, habit, or disease).
8 Letters
COVENANT: A formal agreement or promise between two or more people.
10 Letters
ABBREVIATE: To shorten (a word, phrase, or text).
More About "contract crossword clue"
The word "contract" is a fantastic example of a homograph frequently used in crosswords to add a layer of complexity. Its multiple meanings – ranging from a formal agreement to a reduction in size or even acquiring a disease – make it a versatile clue for constructors. Successfully solving such clues often depends on careful parsing of the surrounding words in the clue, the number of letters required for the answer, and any intersecting letters from other solved words.
Understanding the different facets of "contract" is key. Is the clue asking for a synonym of an accord or a deal? Or perhaps it refers to something getting smaller, like a muscle contracting? It could even imply catching an illness. Each interpretation leads to a distinct set of potential answers, requiring solvers to consider the broader context of the puzzle.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Analyze the Nuance: For clues like "contract", always consider its multiple meanings. Think about synonyms for each definition: agreement, shrink, acquire, shorten, etc.
- Context is King: Pay close attention to any additional words in the clue. "Contract a cold" clearly points to a different answer than "Contract a loan" or "Contract a muscle."
- Utilize Intersecting Letters: When a clue has multiple possible answers due to ambiguous wording, use the letters you've already filled in from intersecting words. These will often narrow down your choices to the single correct solution.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does "contract" have so many different answers in crosswords?
The word "contract" is a homograph, meaning it has multiple distinct meanings (e.g., a formal agreement, to reduce in size, to get a disease). Crossword constructors cleverly exploit these different meanings to create challenging clues, leading to various possible answers depending on context.
How can I tell which meaning of "contract" a crossword clue is referring to?
Look for subtle hints in the clue's wording. For example, "Contract a cold" points to acquiring a disease, while "Contract a deal" suggests an agreement. The length of the answer and intersecting letters from other clues are also crucial for narrowing down the possibilities.
Are there common word patterns for "contract" answers?
While there's no single pattern, answers often relate to synonyms of "agreement" (like PACT, TREATY, COVENANT), "shrink/reduce" (like SHRINK, RECEDE, LESSEN), or "acquire/incur" (like CATCH, INCUR). Knowing these semantic categories can help you anticipate possible solutions.