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.

New home prices in China have been contracting for nearly three years.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

Infections among dogs also likely indicates that people have been contracting the disease as well, but their cases go undiagnosed and undocumented, Gulia-Nuss said.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 3, 2023

Services and overall business activity as measured by the PMIs have been contracting for four months.

From Reuters • Feb. 20, 2023

Numerous department stores and other retailers that traditionally have been mainstays of shopping areas have been contracting or have failed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2018

They have been contracting this habit through all the years since the beginning of their school experience, until now it seems as inevitable as any other habitual affair.

From The Reconstructed School by Pearson, Francis B.