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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contemplation
Memorial Day, which was celebrated on May 26, is a cause for contemplation and also renewal.
—
Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025
Silverman’s placement of his work is akin to how a Zen gardener places his rocks, contextualizing the work as worthy of contemplation.
—Tom Teicholz, Forbes.com, 27 July 2025
In a voice that seemed a bit husky, Combs answered affirmatively that he had been informed about his rights and after much contemplation decided not to testify in his own defense.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2025
In its own way, the film is also a contemplation of recollections, memory and post-Yugoslav reality.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for contemplation
Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025
Silverman’s placement of his work is akin to how a Zen gardener places his rocks, contextualizing the work as worthy of contemplation.
—Tom Teicholz, Forbes.com, 27 July 2025
In a voice that seemed a bit husky, Combs answered affirmatively that he had been informed about his rights and after much contemplation decided not to testify in his own defense.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2025
In its own way, the film is also a contemplation of recollections, memory and post-Yugoslav reality.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for contemplation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemplation
Noun
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His exuberant new novel, The Gossip Columnist’s Daughter, packs the punch of his short stories, dramatizing a real-life unsolved murder, both a homage to Hollywood noir and a meditation on how and why our deepest connections can betray us.—
Book Marks
August 14,
Literary Hub,
14 Aug. 2025
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Spanning 10 years of work, this international co-production explores utopia, decolonization and love with a unique visual language—bridging past and present in a powerful meditation on liberation and legacy.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Every August, high school seniors across the country log into the Common Application with a familiar blend of anticipation and anxiety.—
Liz Doe Stone,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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After days of anticipation, Taylor Swift revealed the cover art and October release date for her next album, The Life of a Showgirl, in a wide-ranging podcast interview on Wednesday.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The expectations externally have been lowered, but internally, the daily grind remains the same.—
Katie Woo,
New York Times,
12 Aug. 2025
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Fed Chairman Jerome Powell says while that's a reasonable expectation, the central bank must guard against the risk that inflation proves more persistent.—
Scott Horsley,
NPR,
12 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contemplation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemplation. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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