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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
This is coming after a period of rest, contemplation, and confusion about where your life is headed.
—
Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Aug. 2025
There are numerous preserves for contemplation and brushes with wildlife, such as the Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy; and orchards, such as March Farm in Bethlehem, for apple and blueberry picking.
—Marcia Desanctis, Travel + Leisure, 20 June 2025
Memorial Day, which was celebrated on May 26, is a cause for contemplation and also renewal.
—Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025
Silverman’s placement of his work is akin to how a Zen gardener places his rocks, contextualizing the work as worthy of contemplation.
—Tom Teicholz, Forbes.com, 27 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for contemplation
Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Aug. 2025
There are numerous preserves for contemplation and brushes with wildlife, such as the Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy; and orchards, such as March Farm in Bethlehem, for apple and blueberry picking.
—Marcia Desanctis, Travel + Leisure, 20 June 2025
Memorial Day, which was celebrated on May 26, is a cause for contemplation and also renewal.
—Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025
Silverman’s placement of his work is akin to how a Zen gardener places his rocks, contextualizing the work as worthy of contemplation.
—Tom Teicholz, Forbes.com, 27 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for contemplation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemplation
Noun
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His exuberant new novel, The Gossip Columnist’s Daughter, packs the punch of his short stories, dramatizing a real-life unsolved murder, both a homage to Hollywood noir and a meditation on how and why our deepest connections can betray us.—
Book Marks
August 14,
Literary Hub,
14 Aug. 2025
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Spanning 10 years of work, this international co-production explores utopia, decolonization and love with a unique visual language—bridging past and present in a powerful meditation on liberation and legacy.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
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After days of anticipation, Taylor Swift revealed the cover art and October release date for her next album, The Life of a Showgirl, in a wide-ranging podcast interview on Wednesday.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
14 Aug. 2025
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Every August, high school seniors across the country log into the Common Application with a familiar blend of anticipation and anxiety.—
Liz Doe Stone,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
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It’s been tough sledding for shares of CrowdStrike since early July, which theoretically should keep investor expectations in check relative to a company reporting with a stock near its highs.—
Kevin Stankiewicz,
CNBC,
24 Aug. 2025
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At the end of the 2024 season, after the Miami Dolphins had produced a 8-9 record, missed the playoff for the first time in Mike McDaniel’s three seasons, and the team’s owner made his expectations for the next season crystal clear.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
24 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contemplation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemplation. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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