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
After much contemplation, a solution presented itself.
—
Laurie Brookins, HollywoodReporter, 5 Jan. 2026
Some of those moms include the terrific performers Cindy Cheung and Liz Wisan, and the play itself promises satire, songs, bouffon, bodily fluids, and, underneath it all, a contemplation of overwhelming joy and ineffable heartache.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025
All three stories feature the pleasure of visual contemplation—especially in alluring sequences in which the characters, arriving by car, gaze through the windshield and savor the sights along the road ahead.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
The best incenses, however, set a more specific type of mood—one that can invite meditation, contemplation, and even spiritual connection.
—Jenny Berg, Allure, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contemplation
Laurie Brookins, HollywoodReporter, 5 Jan. 2026
Some of those moms include the terrific performers Cindy Cheung and Liz Wisan, and the play itself promises satire, songs, bouffon, bodily fluids, and, underneath it all, a contemplation of overwhelming joy and ineffable heartache.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025
All three stories feature the pleasure of visual contemplation—especially in alluring sequences in which the characters, arriving by car, gaze through the windshield and savor the sights along the road ahead.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
The best incenses, however, set a more specific type of mood—one that can invite meditation, contemplation, and even spiritual connection.
—Jenny Berg, Allure, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contemplation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemplation
Noun
-
As father and son venture deeper into the wilderness, their journey becomes a meditation on grief, survival and the meaning of paternal instinct.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Wellness Amenities Wellness practices at home will continue to be a priority for 2026 and people will look to renovate their homes to include amenities like home gyms, saunas, and meditation rooms.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The air was thick with anticipation and old snow.—
Rachel Handler,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Let anticipation do the heavy lifting.—
Alysia Reiner,
Flow Space,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contemplation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemplation. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
