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

Relevance
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

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 contemplation For so many of our entertainment heroes, considering their legacy is more about contemplation than unabashed celebration. Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2025 The monastery is also home to pink-robe-wearing novice monks, who train at Taung Kalat, and yetis, or hermit monks, who glide in their peaked caps in quiet contemplation across the precariously balanced complex. Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Jan. 2025 This is followed by solitary Bible study and contemplation. Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025 At the other end of Eilean Mòr, past a mossy Celtic cross standing like a lighthouse at the island’s tallest point, Sandy showed us the Cave of Saint Cormac, its opening hardly more than four feet high, where eighth-century monks used to retreat for periods of secluded contemplation. Leslie Jamison, Travel + Leisure, 23 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for contemplation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemplation
Noun
  • While Pasolini delivers his meditations to clergy members gathered at the Vatican, the pope listens from his hospital room, though the attendees cannot see or hear him.
    Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
  • In his art practice, Johnson is known for his sharp meditations on race and class rooted in a more organic vocabulary steeped in sculptural and painterly traditions.
    Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 10 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Nonetheless after the ballot, there will be anticipation over how Trump might react.
    Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Chinese exporters have been rushing to front-load outbound shipments since late last year on anticipation of more tariffs as U.S. President Donald Trump returned to the White House.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Her win, if nothing else, was a reminder that careers can take unexpected turns, no matter the expectations.
    Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Alex Pereira Rematch Opening Odds With the expectation that Ankalaev and Pereira will tangle again in the near future, BetOnline published opening odds for the rematch.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Contemplation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemplation. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on contemplation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!