Definition of contingencenext
as in possibility
something that might happen the collapse of that nation's economy was one contingence that the architects of the war hadn't planned on

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 contingence The team had a strong veteran contingence, but none of those veterans had anyone to lead them. — Anthony Fenech, Detroit Free Press, 24 Sep. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contingence
Noun
  • This discovery establishes a new way to couple mechanical motion and electricity at the smallest scales, opening new possibilities for molecular electronics.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Over the summer, Zuckerberg shared with Meta advisors his plans to relocate outside California to avoid the possibility of a significant reduction in his control over the company as a result of selling enough stock to fund a 5% tax.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • That count includes troops who died in medical events and other situations that do not have a direct connection to the conflict, with 18 service members having been killed from Iranian strikes, combat aircraft crashes or disposal of Iranian drones.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2026
  • In 1998, during an intense El Niño event, NPR's member station, WUSF, reported that Central Florida experienced one of the deadliest tornado outbreaks, killing 42 people.
    — Ava Berger, NPR, 29 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Election officials around the country run similar tabletop exercises before each voting cycle, to plan for contingencies ranging from extreme weather and power failures to bomb threats and foreign interference.
    — Barton Gellman, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Navigating this contingency presents a deeply challenging decision for Ermotti.
    — , CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Bolsonaro is under investigation by Brazil's Supreme Court on accusations of corruption, money laundering and tax evasion in two cases.
    — MATTHEW LEE, Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Previously, cases have been detected in some African countries, Japan and—for the first time this summer—Europe.
    — Sahas Mehra, Scientific American, 28 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Contingence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contingence. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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