contract
noun
an agreement between two or more parties for the doing or not doing of something specified.
has been contracting
-
present perfect progressiveof contract (3rd person singular).present perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that began in the past, has continued continuously, and is still in progress.
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.
Foreign direct investment into China has been contracting since mid-2023, while capital flows into India have remained steady.
From Barron's ● Feb. 18, 2026
Comcast opted to cast off the still-profitable cable channels, except for the perennially popular Bravo!, as Wall Street has soured on the business, which has been contracting amid a consumer shift to streaming.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 5, 2026
The manufacturing sector has been contracting and the real estate sector has suffered because of higher interest rates.
From Washington Times ● Jul. 6, 2023
"The third decline in a row for the euro zone PMI indicates business activity has been contracting throughout the quarter. This confirms our view a recession could have already started," said Bert Colijn at ING.
From Reuters ● Sep. 23, 2022
The newspaper industry has been contracting for years as more readers shift online and companies cut back on print ads.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 14, 2022
