as in satisfied
feeling that one's needs or desires have been met
having had her fill of candy, the contented girl sank back into the easy chair and dozed off
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in pleased
to give satisfaction to
a person easily contented by life's simple pleasures
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 contented
Seth Emerson, New York Times, 30 July 2025
There’s something about burgers that sets the tone for slow, contented evenings.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 July 2025
John Bowe, Travel + Leisure, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contented
Adjective
One image remains from that dreary — at least for Georgia — afternoon: During pregame, an Alabama assistant standing alone near midfield, looking at his players with a contented smile.
—Seth Emerson, New York Times, 30 July 2025
There’s something about burgers that sets the tone for slow, contented evenings.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 July 2025
Verb
Historically, lodgings outside the capital have contented themselves with hosting the budget-conscious backpacker crowd.
—John Bowe, Travel + Leisure, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contented
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contented
Adjective
-
There is no question in my mind that employees who believe that their employer genuinely cares about them are more satisfied and, therefore, are more productive workers.—
Dan Amos,
Time,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Neither of those former coaches was entirely satisfied with their squads.—
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The move – and more, its blunt public announcement – may have pleased Trump world, but turned out to be disastrous for the Post’s business.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Kennedy’s concern with productivity would have pleased Charles Davenport, a powerful leader of 20th-century American eugenics.—
Sarah DiGregorio,
Vanity Fair,
16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Benito’s reps confirmed in a press release that the happy couple wasn’t just an act for the show.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Vonn’s comeback is in some ways the perfect Olympic story—happy ending be-damned.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Here, the joyous and the boisterous contrast the dark and insidious, allowing viewers to both be delighted by colorful street scenes and celebrations while the rot of fear creeps in, as the details surrounding our main character (Wagner Moura) and his predicament are revealed.—
Megan Spurrell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Twyla Tharp’s ballet Push Comes to Shove, which premiered in 1976, startled and delighted audiences with its coy, self-referential humor, and its flirtation with popular dance styles such as jazz and tango.—
Sara Krolewski,
The Atlantic,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Fare is served in an intimate space warmed with walnut, pendant lighting and notes of gold in an Asian-style building.—
USA TODAY NETWORK,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
-
For example, the Earth has warmed over the past 250 years, and continues to warm even today.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile, New England feasted on the easiest schedule in the league.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The press feasted on Duesberg’s self-portrayal as the victim of ostracism arising from professional jealousies — a target of cancel culture before that was a thing.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contented.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contented. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
