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
What an enthralling place that ridge is to celebrate a new day in solitude, contemplation and wonder.
—
John Meyer, Denver Post, 11 Aug. 2025
This is a moment of contemplation and relaxation.
—Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 6 Aug. 2025
The yellow circle in the middle is a space for contemplation and discussion.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 26 July 2025
The space hums with quiet intention — a place for contemplation and feeling the desert light shift across time.
—Olivia Rose, AZCentral.com, 26 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for contemplation
John Meyer, Denver Post, 11 Aug. 2025
This is a moment of contemplation and relaxation.
—Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 6 Aug. 2025
The yellow circle in the middle is a space for contemplation and discussion.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 26 July 2025
The space hums with quiet intention — a place for contemplation and feeling the desert light shift across time.
—Olivia Rose, AZCentral.com, 26 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for contemplation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemplation
Noun
-
Additionally, self-help podcasts grew by 35% between 2019 and 2022 and apps also reflect shifting habits, with 70% of users preferring mindfulness and meditation tools.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Meanwhile, my attempts to live in the moment, even those abetted by meditation, have felt squishy, uncertain, and evasive.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
This adds to anticipation over whether the judge will decide that the case can proceed in Delaware and if dismissed, will the Macrons appeal or refile elsewhere.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
-
This is the fourth-straight week of declines as mortgage rates fell in anticipation of the Fed’s quarter-point rate cut on Wednesday.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Those expectations were a bit unreasonable.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
-
In an interview with Esquire shortly after Bring Her Back was released in theaters, Danny Philippou discussed how the success of Talk to Me contributed to the expectations of the brothers’ second horror thriller.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contemplation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemplation. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share