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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Example Sentences
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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
-
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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Terms of the deals were not disclosed, but principals described them as versions of a classic revenue-sharing arrangement, with additional provisions for promotion.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 2026
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Housing advocates and lawmakers were concerned about provisions that would have required wider access roads for fire trucks, allowed local fire officials to decide which side of the building should be adjacent to an access road and limited developments to sites located closer to access roads.—
Kaitlin McCallum,
Hartford Courant,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Watch all of the day’s events here, including Abel’s first question-and-answer session with insurance chief Ajit Jain, and a panel with the heads of Berkshire’s other businesses.—
Yun Li,Alex Harring,Sarah Min,
CNBC,
2 May 2026
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The events that unfolded in Tiananmen Square during those intervening months—which reached a violent crescendo on the night of June 3, 1989—form the work’s painful subtext.—
Pauline J. Yao,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
Noun
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Residents of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties may hear the booms, depending on weather and other conditions, SpaceX said.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2026
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But county documents also detail conditions the project should meet to address impacts, including designing buildings to dampen sound and adding landscape buffers.—
Abigail Hasebroock,
Sun Sentinel,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
King was perhaps most respected for his decisions on immigration cases.—
Jay Weaver,
Sun Sentinel,
3 May 2026
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Historian Marvin Dunn echoed that concern, describing a disconnect among younger Black people who did not live through — and in many cases were never deeply taught about — the violence, intimidation and systemic barriers that shaped earlier generations’ fight for the ballot.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
2 May 2026
Noun
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The system establishes operational standards through its three main functions that develop incentives while tracking performance and ensuring projects meet actual environmental requirements.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
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The guns must meet certain size and weight requirements.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contingencies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contingencies. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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