contingents

Definition of contingentsnext
plural of contingent
1
as in delegations
a body of persons chosen as representatives of a larger group the local Scout troop traditionally sends a large contingent to the jamboree

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2
as in events
something that might happen officials in charge of managing the national emergency tried to prepare for every contingent, no matter how improbable

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 contingents Kroslak’s appointment comes days ahead of the arrival of the force’s first military contingents, an advance team from Chad. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026 While a few small contingents represented Iowa in the war's eastern theater, the west was where Iowans mainly engaged. Bill Steiden, Des Moines Register, 24 Mar. 2026 The force includes contingents from Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Oklahoma, with units rotating in and out of the District on staggered timelines. Steven Beynon, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026 Expected to draw more than 30,000 attendees, this year’s parade will include 111 contingents and 4,500 people. Lisa Hix, Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2026 With athletes spread across four clusters, even the countries with larger contingents were walking in smaller numbers at each venue. Zack Pierce, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026 Those comments have caused a lot of confusion and angst among European governments—many of whom have sent small military contingents to Greenland, not really as a show of force as much as a signal of disapproval. Connor Okeeffe, Oc Register, 21 Jan. 2026 The changes have been celebrated by some conservative lawmakers, anti-trans groups and some contingents of parents and athletes who believe trans women’s participation tips the scales of fairness. Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 18 Jan. 2026 The congressman might be surprised to learn that, a little more than a century ago, his own state had been home to one of the strongest contingents of socialists in America. Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contingents
Noun
  • Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum have also led delegations to Venezuela, which holds the world's largest oil reserves.
    Richard Escobedo, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Iranian and American delegations were not present.
    Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Hart will, however, address the pair of 20-point comebacks the Knicks pulled off en route to the conference finals for the first time in a quarter-century, a sequence of bizarre events many called a fluke.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 10 Apr. 2026
  • According to Fox 11, LA28 currently states that 30% of its remaining tickets are under $200, but many potential ticket buyers have reported that larger events—including the opening and closing ceremonies — only have premium seats available, which often cost upwards of $5,000.
    Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Some version of this happens in all your books—an imagined future opens up new possibilities in the present.
    Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Joey Muldowney, who was drafted two years ago by the Sharks, forward Jake Richard and defenseman Viking Gustafsson-Nyberg are other possibilities to go pro.
    Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • 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
Noun
  • Jalisco has more than 15,900 cases of missing persons, a toll that experts attribute to the activities of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, official data shows.
    CBS News, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
  • The study mentioned above also found that doctors and patients identified ways to reduce out-of-pocket costs – such as switching to a generic drug or adjusting the timing of care – in nearly half of those cases.
    Deidre Popovich, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Contingents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contingents. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.

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