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
After some contemplation, Belly decides that putting her heart on the line (again) for Conrad, who is now en route to Brussels, is worth the risk.
—
Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2025
The genre invites focus and contemplation, and its structure is balanced with improvisation, which creates a sense of flow and impermanence.
—Anna Haines, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Bill gravitates towards Tammy (Jane Levy), his daughter-in-law and the only other person in his rambunctious household who values contemplation and repose.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2025
In the rarified air of Aspen, Gray’s visions of Black joy and mobility find new contexts for contemplation, ensuring that conversations about representation and belonging continue beyond the gallery’s walls.
—Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contemplation
Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2025
The genre invites focus and contemplation, and its structure is balanced with improvisation, which creates a sense of flow and impermanence.
—Anna Haines, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Bill gravitates towards Tammy (Jane Levy), his daughter-in-law and the only other person in his rambunctious household who values contemplation and repose.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2025
In the rarified air of Aspen, Gray’s visions of Black joy and mobility find new contexts for contemplation, ensuring that conversations about representation and belonging continue beyond the gallery’s walls.
—Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contemplation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemplation
Noun
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Finding one last meditation on the beauty of Majorca, head to Palma’s western outskirts by car to visit the Fundació Miró Mallorca, a museum on the property where the 20th-century Spanish painter Joan Miró lived and worked during the final years of his life.—
Emilio Parra Doiztua,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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Clearly, Scorsese has used therapy, meditation, and other tools to keep his frenetic life on a calmer track.—
Anne Thompson,
IndieWire,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But there is growing anticipation inside and outside the club that the coming weeks could mark the onset of historic change at the Santiago Bernabeu.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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Fans, many dressed in the artist’s merchandise or girly pink outfits, hum with anticipation.—
Isabela Raygoza,
Billboard,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But in the limited engagement of October, every team is strong enough to upend expectations.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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Furthermore, big banks — bellwethers for economic activity — such as JPMorgan Chase, Citi and Goldman Sachs, beat earnings expectations, suggesting that fundamentals are still sound.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contemplation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemplation. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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