contingency

noun

con·​tin·​gen·​cy kən-ˈtin-jən(t)-sē 

plural contingencies

1

: a contingent event or condition: such as

a

: an event (such as an emergency) that may but is not certain to occur

trying to provide for every contingency

b

: something liable to happen as an adjunct to or result of something else

the contingencies of war

2

: the quality or state of being contingent

Synonyms

• case
• contingence
• contingent
• event
• eventuality
• possibility

Choose the Right Synonym for contingency

juncture, exigency, emergency, contingency, pinch, strait (or straits) crisis mean a critical or crucial time or state of affairs.

juncture stresses the significant concurrence or convergence of events.

an important juncture in our country's history

exigency stresses the pressure of restrictions or urgency of demands created by a special situation.

provide for exigencies

emergency applies to a sudden unforeseen situation requiring prompt action to avoid disaster.

the presence of mind needed to deal with emergencies

contingency implies an emergency or exigency that is regarded as possible but uncertain of occurrence.

contingency plans

pinch implies urgency or pressure for action to a less intense degree than exigency or emergency.

come through in a pinch

strait, now commonly straits, applies to a troublesome situation from which escape is extremely difficult.

in dire straits

crisis applies to a juncture whose outcome will make a decisive difference.

a crisis of confidence

Examples of contingency in a Sentence

Nothing was overlooked. There was a fallback position, a fail-safe provision, for any contingency. —Gary Wills, New York Times Review of Books, 1 Apr. 2001

It is difficult to distinguish all the legitimate and illegitimate kinds and uses of information. Writing laws to regulate all contingencies is like trying to capture broth in a colander. —George F. Will, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 1987

Was it merely the expression of her displeasure at Miss Bart's neglect, or had disquieting rumours reached her? The latter contingency seemed improbable, yet Lily was not without a sense of uneasiness. —Edith Wharton, The House of Mirth, 1905

In making our business plans, we tried to prepare for any contingency that might hurt sales.

agencies trying to provide for every contingency in a national emergency

Recent Examples on the Web

Superintendents and state lawmakers are preparing for contingencies: What happens if federal contributions shrink further next fiscal year? —Michelle Mbekeani, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025

The United States and its allies will need to improve their defense industrial bases and build stocks to better prepare for these contingencies in the future. —Lawrence D. Freedman, Foreign Affairs, 14 Apr. 2025

In the meantime, McBride advised existing homeowners to resist the urge to tap their home equity for all but the most essential contingencies. —J.j. McCorvey, NBC News, 20 Mar. 2025

Although the extended stay was a surprise, both astronauts had been prepared for such contingencies. —Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

conting(ence) + -ency

First Known Use

1561, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing contingency

• contingency fee
• contingency fund
• contingency plan
• contingency table

Rhymes for contingency

• astringency
• stringency

Kids Definition

contingency

noun

con·​tin·​gen·​cy kən-ˈtin-jən-sē 

plural contingencies

: something (as an emergency) that might or might not happen or that might happen if something else occurs

prepared for every contingency

Legal Definition

contingency

noun

con·​tin·​gen·​cy kən-ˈtin-jən-sē 

plural contingencies

1

: the quality or state of being contingent

2

: a contingent event or condition: as

a

: an event that may but is not certain to occur

a contingency that made performance under the contract impossible

b

: something likely to come about as an adjunct to or result of something else

specifically : contingency fee at fee 2

whether a case is on a contingency or billed at an hourly rate

—D. R. Frederico