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
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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
There’s a loveliness to every scene, quiet urban beauty that leaves space for the audience’s contemplation.
—
Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times, 15 May 2025
An almost but not quite maudlin contemplation of the inevitability of death.
—Shana Naomi Krochmal, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025
And when the internet bloomed, people grew alarmed that easy access to information would erode our capacity for concentration and contemplation.
—Robert B. Tucker, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
The song plays as Jack reflects on everything unfolding in his world — a moment of quiet contemplation and inner reckoning.
—Peter White, Deadline, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for contemplation
Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times, 15 May 2025
An almost but not quite maudlin contemplation of the inevitability of death.
—Shana Naomi Krochmal, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025
And when the internet bloomed, people grew alarmed that easy access to information would erode our capacity for concentration and contemplation.
—Robert B. Tucker, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
The song plays as Jack reflects on everything unfolding in his world — a moment of quiet contemplation and inner reckoning.
—Peter White, Deadline, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for contemplation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemplation
Noun
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Beyond supplements, complementary methods like meditation, yoga, and acupuncture have been shown to enhance sleep quality.—
Ayesha Gulzar,
Verywell Health,
21 July 2025
-
Schrecker’s No Ivory Tower is a granular account of the effect that the Red Scare had on American universities, as well as a broader meditation on the nature and history of academic freedom.—
Tyler Austin Harper,
The Atlantic,
21 July 2025
Noun
-
El Choli) on opening night, the anticipation hung heavy.—
Isabela Raygoza,
Billboard,
21 July 2025
-
The set arrived after months of promotion and quite a bit of anticipation, but sadly, the project underperformed.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
17 July 2025
Noun
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The event raised $30,000, exceeding all expectations.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
19 July 2025
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Currently, the expectation is that the city will implement a parking fee plan for Balboa Park by January, meaning a bump of $11 million in revenue for the second half of the 2026 fiscal year.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contemplation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemplation. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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