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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of contemplation And when the internet bloomed, people grew alarmed that easy access to information would erode our capacity for concentration and contemplation. Robert B. Tucker, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025 The song plays as Jack reflects on everything unfolding in his world — a moment of quiet contemplation and inner reckoning. Peter White, Deadline, 18 June 2025 But this need for stopping and contemplation is not only a contemporary one, as evidenced in those artworks in the galleries, many of which were centuries old and made with the intention of being pondered in the dark corners of churches and chapels. Elisa Wouk Almino, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025 As a result, the existing structure incentivizes the Metra, Pace and CTA boards to make decisions grounded in maintaining their individual fiefdoms — with no contemplation of their relation to the entire Chicago region. Joe Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for contemplation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemplation
Noun
  • In addition, there will be a huge selection of wellness sessions led by international Alo instructors, including meditation, Pilates, outdoor strength workouts and sound healing.
    Rachel Dube, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • Many traditional gyms have social perks like steam rooms and saunas, and plenty of local yoga studios (like Khali or Charlotte Yoga) offer everything from meditation to deep stretch classes.
    Sunny Hubler, Charlotte Observer, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • How do the insidious forms of censorship, their anticipation and reiteration, affect your mind and its ironies?
    Cindy Juyoung Ok June 26, Literary Hub, 26 June 2025
  • In a clip viewed close to 5 million times since being posted on June 24, her owner places Nellie's water bowl on the ground, with the puppy wagging her tail in anticipation.
    Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • The firm's estimate is even lower than analyst expectations.
    Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 8 July 2025
  • This shift significantly changes how maps are consumed and raises expectations around their precision, accuracy and delivery.
    Michael Harrell, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Contemplation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemplation. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

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