1
as in possibilities
something that might happen
agencies trying to provide for every contingency in a national emergency
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in provisions
something upon which the carrying out of an agreement or offer depends
an offer to buy the house, with the contingency that it pass inspection
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Recent Examples of contingencies
They are also equipped with air-to-air refueling capabilities for contingencies, though they have never been used with a president on board.
—
Jonathan J. Cooper, Fortune, 2 May 2026
When the state visit to the US was planned, all contingencies were taken into account.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 1 May 2026
This is also when the agency plans for contingencies, from a medical incident to a large-scale attack, to ensure the continuity and leadership of the United States is maintained.
—Donald J. Mihalek, ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
High-end ordnance used up in Iran is ordnance unavailable for other contingencies, whether in Europe or the Indo-Pacific.
—Jon Duffy, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
Consider the chain of contingencies that had to align, and the child’s existence can feel like a miracle.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
Other defense secretaries have committed forces only after a thorough examination of the risks and alternatives — and after making careful plans that account for all foreseeable contingencies.
—Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
Chinese analysts say the move signals a shift toward quasi-carrier operations and could indicate preparations for potential contingencies involving Beijing, adding to regional strategic tensions.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 29 Mar. 2026
One source familiar with the deployment previously told CNN that the MEU’s presence gives commanders additional options for a range of contingencies.
—Moriah Thomas, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
Jonathan J. Cooper, Fortune, 2 May 2026
When the state visit to the US was planned, all contingencies were taken into account.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 1 May 2026
This is also when the agency plans for contingencies, from a medical incident to a large-scale attack, to ensure the continuity and leadership of the United States is maintained.
—Donald J. Mihalek, ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
High-end ordnance used up in Iran is ordnance unavailable for other contingencies, whether in Europe or the Indo-Pacific.
—Jon Duffy, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
Consider the chain of contingencies that had to align, and the child’s existence can feel like a miracle.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
Other defense secretaries have committed forces only after a thorough examination of the risks and alternatives — and after making careful plans that account for all foreseeable contingencies.
—Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
Chinese analysts say the move signals a shift toward quasi-carrier operations and could indicate preparations for potential contingencies involving Beijing, adding to regional strategic tensions.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 29 Mar. 2026
One source familiar with the deployment previously told CNN that the MEU’s presence gives commanders additional options for a range of contingencies.
—Moriah Thomas, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contingencies
Noun
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The difficulty is that no one knows which frequency to listen to, so even decades of work have covered only a tiny fraction of possibilities.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
3 May 2026
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As the Moon moves into Sagittarius and activates your 9th House of Perspective, your focus turns toward growth, movement, and bigger possibilities that feel worth pursuing.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
Noun
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But as the bill moved through the House, additional provisions were added including language allowing random inspections of home kitchens by health departments.—
Jasmine Arenas,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
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Rivera said any salary cap should include provisions that the teams that spend the least also invest in improving competition in some other way.—
Alex Sherman,
CNBC,
6 May 2026
Noun
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During the all-day hearing Friday, the owners of both companies took the stand to give their often starkly different views of events.—
Lisa Schencker,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
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Most days at Bluebird will feature free live music and other entertainment events.—
Michael Deeds
Updated May 8,
Idaho Statesman,
8 May 2026
Noun
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Candidates for District 9 interviewed by the Southern California News Group said many residents increasingly connect ethics and accountability concerns at City Hall with broader frustrations over neighborhood conditions, city services and economic investment in the district.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
9 May 2026
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The study notes that roughly half of the United States' nearly 15,000 wastewater treatment facilities use anaerobic digestion, a process in which microbes break down sewage sludge in oxygen-free conditions to reduce waste volume while producing biogas.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
9 May 2026
Noun
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The outbreak on the ship has been linked to the Andes strain of hantavirus, a rare but potentially severe form of the virus that in some cases can spread between humans through close contact.—
Gonzalo Zegarra,
CNN Money,
9 May 2026
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The first wife of the high-profile lawyer who specialized in winning medical malpractice cases was serving a 32-year-to-life prison sentence for the 1989 killing of her former husband and his wife, Linda.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
Noun
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While the candidates’ proposals vary, many call for stronger ethics oversight, tighter campaign finance restrictions, expanded disclosure requirements and greater transparency around city spending, lobbying activity and constituent services.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
9 May 2026
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The legislature has also put in place more requirements for towns to have fair rent commissions, which are local bodies that have the ability to respond to complaints and regulate rents.—
Ginny Monk,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contingencies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contingencies. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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