contract vs reduce

contract is a noun but reduce is not a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
contract	Yes	No	Yes	No
reduce	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, contract and reduce are synonyms defined as:

Other synonyms of contract include abbreviate, abridge, cut, foreshorten, shorten.

As verbs, reduce is a hypernym of contract; that is, reduce is a word with a broader meaning than contract:

Other hypernyms of contract include shrink.

contract (noun)	reduce (noun)
a variety of bridge in which the bidder receives points toward game only for the number of tricks he bid
a binding agreement between two or more persons that is enforceable by law
(contract bridge) the highest bid becomes the contract setting the number of tricks that the bidder must make

contract (verb)	reduce (verb)
be stricken by an illness, fall victim to an illness	take off weight
make or become more narrow or restricted	cut down on; make a reduction in
become smaller or draw together	narrow or limit
reduce in scope while retaining essential elements	cook until very little liquid is left
compress or concentrate	to remove oxygen from a compound, or cause to react with hydrogen or form a hydride, or to undergo an increase in the number of electrons
enter into a contractual arrangement	make smaller
make smaller	reduce in size; reduce physically
squeeze or press together	make less complex
engage by written agreement	reduce in scope while retaining essential elements
	lessen the strength or flavor of a solution or mixture
	be cooked until very little liquid is left
	be the essential element
	destress and thus weaken a sound when pronouncing it
	undergo meiosis
	reposition (a broken bone after surgery) back to its normal site
	lower in grade or rank or force somebody into an undignified situation
	lessen and make more modest
	simplify the form of a mathematical equation of expression by substituting one term for another
	bring to humbler or weaker state or condition
	put down by force or intimidation