contingent

adjective

con·tin·gent | \ kən-ˈtin-jənt

Definition of contingent

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : dependent on or conditioned by something else Payment is contingent on fulfillment of certain conditions. a plan contingent on the weather

2 : likely but not certain to happen : possible

3 : not logically necessary especially : empirical

4a : happening by chance or unforeseen causes

b : subject to chance or unseen effects : unpredictable

c : intended for use in circumstances not completely foreseen contingent funds

5 : not necessitated : determined by free choice

contingent

noun

Definition of contingent (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : a representative group : delegation, detachment a diplomatic contingent

2 : something contingent (see contingent entry 1) : contingency

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Choose the Right Synonym for contingent

Adjective

accidental, fortuitous, casual, contingent mean not amenable to planning or prediction. accidental stresses chance. any resemblance to actual persons is entirely accidental fortuitous so strongly suggests chance that it often connotes entire absence of cause. a series of fortuitous events casual stresses lack of real or apparent premeditation or intent. a casual encounter with a stranger contingent suggests possibility of happening but stresses uncertainty and dependence on other future events for existence or occurrence. the contingent effects of the proposed law

Examples of contingent in a Sentence

Adjective

The isolation and co-optation of the capitalist classes in Germany meant that liberty as an ideal had no contingent link with capitalism, as had happened in Western Europe. — Orlando Patterson, New Republic, 8 Nov. 1999 He knows that the throngs cheering for him today will be cheering for someone else tomorrow, that enthusiasm is fickle, that real support for someone like him always has something completely contingent about it. — Andrew Sullivan, New Republic, 8 July 1996 Clearly the President was chastened by the sorrow and resentment of the people to whom he spoke, but his words were somehow tentative and contingent, as if they could be withdrawn on a month's notice. — Lewis H. Lapham, Harper's, July 1992 Every undogmatic historian is aware of the multitude of contingent events that entered into the victory of the Bolshevik revolution. — Sidney Hook, Revolution, Reform & Social Justice, 1975 If the Sovereigns would grant him, contingent on his success, such rank, titles, and property that he and his issue could hold up their heads with the Spanish nobility, well and good … — Samuel Eliot Morison, The European Discovery of America, 1974

Noun

Hollywood, Madison Avenue, the FCC, and a growing contingent in corporate America: It's hard to imagine a more formidable alliance pushing segregated television. — Tamar Jacoby, New Republic, 24 Jan. 2000 A Maori contingent, unable to face the intensity of the Turkish fire, sought shelter in a nearby gully. — Martin Gilbert, The First World War, 1994 But just because we banned it [DDT] domestically, under pressure from the bird-watching contingent … it doesn't necessarily follow that the rest of the world was about to jump on the bandwagon. — T. Coraghessan Boyle, Harper's, April 1993 The group that makes up the largest contingent of voters in this area is the elderly. A contingent of reporters waited in front of the court for the defendant to appear. A British contingent was sent to assist the security forces.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

That number includes independent contractors like Cowan, as well as contingent workers whose terms are set by companies like Lyft, Postmates, or TaskRabbit. — Emma Goldberg, Glamour, "A Penny for Her Thoughts? Women in the Gig Economy Struggle to Get Paid," 16 Apr. 2019 However, Tsipras said, this will be contingent on Macedonia completing the constitutional changes. — NBC News, "Macedonia's president says he won't sign off on deal to rename country," 14 June 2018 Is Heisenberg saying that our scientific theories are contingent on us as observers? — Marcelo Gleiser, Scientific American, "How Much Can We Know?," 8 May 2018 Both subsidies are contingent on Amazon’s adding 2,000 new jobs there. — Tim Logan, BostonGlobe.com, "Alexa drives Amazon’s local hiring: It confirms 2,000 jobs being added in Seaport," 1 May 2018 Associate city attorney Brian Rabineau told a City Council committee that any commitments made in 2004 were contingent on future lawmakers voting to appropriate the money. — Bill Turque, kansascity, "KC not obligated to pay developer for Three Light garage, city attorney says | The Kansas City Star," 28 Feb. 2018 Broadcom has said that its offer was contingent on all six of its candidates being elected. — Michael J. De La Merced, New York Times, "Qualcomm, Moving to Fend Off Broadcom, Raises Bid for NXP to $44 Billion," 20 Feb. 2018 Delivery of much of that sum is contingent upon Amazon meeting hiring and investment targets. — Matt Day, The Seattle Times, "Amazon shifts its sights to the East Coast," 13 Nov. 2018 Second, even for those Jews who are, our inclusion in the category of whiteness is historically contingent. — Zack Beauchamp, Vox, "In defense of Sarah Jeong," 3 Aug. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The warmth and richness of the strings placed a mellow cast on the orchestra’s contribution, turning it almost into chamber music, albeit for a large contingent of players. — New York Times, "Trifonov and Andsnes: Different Generations, Same Curiosity," 4 May 2018 What most people don't know is the second largest contingent of law enforcement officers assigned to the joint terrorism task force are immigration agents. — Fox News, "'Angel moms' weigh in on the immigration debate," 24 Aug. 2018 The Explorers Club contingent are maybe even happier. — Jason Harper, Condé Nast Traveler, "On the Hunt for Dinosaur Bones in the Gobi Desert," 20 July 2018 Undo Naturally, there’s a strong contingent of local talent on the Sonar bill, including a diverse range of the best Spanish underground acts. — Annabel Ross, Billboard, "Ten Things That Proved Sónar Barcelona Is a Music Festival Unlike Any Other," 21 June 2018 The only obstacle in their way was a contingent of Allied troops, including untested US forces near the Marne River in northern France. — Raf Casert, BostonGlobe.com, "1918 battle was turning point for US forces in World War I," 26 May 2018 Garcia, 19, has attracted a strong contingent of followers, including the throng who watched him score a first-round knockout of Mexico's Fernando Vargas on March 22 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio. — Lance Pugmire, latimes.com, "With Golovkin bout in limbo, Ryan Garcia strikes for some May 4 Cinco de Mayo attention," 11 Apr. 2018 There was a contingent of Syracuse fans at LCA, including former Detroit Mayor and Pistons great Dave Bing, Detroit native and former NBA star Derrick Coleman and NBC Sports announcer Mike Tirico. — Dana Sulonen, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan State basketball gets upset in NCAA tournament: The reactions," 18 Mar. 2018 It was approved in 2005, contingent upon $2.5 million in upgrades being completed. — Mark Price, charlotteobserver, "NC is getting a new 23-mile interstate northeast of Charlotte | Charlotte Observer," 15 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'contingent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.