1
as in meditation
long or deep thinking about spiritual matters
the decision to enter a monastery and to spend one's life in prayer and contemplation
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2
as in anticipation
the act or state of looking forward to some occurrence
in contemplation of their children's college expenses, they started saving early
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Recent Examples of contemplation
Muslims typically stream into mosques for congregational prayers and dedicate more time to religious contemplation and the reading of the Quran, the Islamic holy book.
—
Mariam Fam, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
The Aquarius moon meeting Pluto encourages you to enter the depths of contemplation.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 15 Feb. 2026
Simone Weil defined the distance between the Necessary and the Good as the subject of endless contemplation—a tension that recurs throughout the exhibition.
—K. Desbouis, Artforum, 6 Feb. 2026
Eid al-Fitr is a joyous time of renewal spent with friends and family after the month of spiritual cleansing, self-restraint and contemplation.
—Lianna Norman, Florida Times-Union, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contemplation
Mariam Fam, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
The Aquarius moon meeting Pluto encourages you to enter the depths of contemplation.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 15 Feb. 2026
Simone Weil defined the distance between the Necessary and the Good as the subject of endless contemplation—a tension that recurs throughout the exhibition.
—K. Desbouis, Artforum, 6 Feb. 2026
Eid al-Fitr is a joyous time of renewal spent with friends and family after the month of spiritual cleansing, self-restraint and contemplation.
—Lianna Norman, Florida Times-Union, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contemplation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemplation
Noun
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Yoga, meditation, or astrology might have an extra appeal to you right now.—
Lisa Stardust,
Vogue,
2 Mar. 2026
-
The session will be conducted by YogaMihi instructor Rathna Noojibail, an experienced yoga/meditation teacher and yoga therapist.—
Hema Sivanandam,
Mercury News,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Follow the Cotton Trail Together Let the excitement and anticipation of following the Easter bunny's path fill the night before Easter.—
Laura Fenton,
Parents,
5 Mar. 2026
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So, many people will know that the chorus in their song is about to come back, and the anticipation of those pleasurable moments in that song actually lead to dopamine release, as well as those peak moments like the chorus itself.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contemplation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemplation. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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