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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contemplation
Also, of course, I am handicapped by knowing that this couldn’t be printed in the foreseeable future, and by the fact that contemplation of this material has become painful.
—
Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2025
The exhibitions, abstract by design, are an invitation to contemplation.
—Diana Hubbell, Saveur, 16 Oct. 2025
The latest exhibit at Marquette's free Haggerty Museum of Art combines abstract pieces and spiritual contemplation.
—Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 13 Oct. 2025
This is coming after a period of rest, contemplation, and confusion about where your life is headed.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contemplation
Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2025
The exhibitions, abstract by design, are an invitation to contemplation.
—Diana Hubbell, Saveur, 16 Oct. 2025
The latest exhibit at Marquette's free Haggerty Museum of Art combines abstract pieces and spiritual contemplation.
—Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 13 Oct. 2025
This is coming after a period of rest, contemplation, and confusion about where your life is headed.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contemplation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemplation
Noun
-
Just like in mindfulness meditation, simply observe your mental processes without judgment.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Weil argues that following his anti-inflammatory food pyramid and taking up practices such as meditation, yoga, and tai chi can help prevent and treat these diseases of chronic inflammation.—
Jason Liebowitz,
The Atlantic,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The 2026 World Cup is right around the corner, and anticipation for the biggest event in sports is building rapidly.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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And perhaps most tellingly, the entire event was tinged with anticipation of Japan’s 2026 spotlight as the Cannes Film Market’s Country of Honor, a coronation that arrives just as Korean and Chinese competitors are nipping at Japanese content’s heels.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contemplation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemplation. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
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