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
Read: The man who transformed American theater The Piano Lesson is also the third Wilson adaptation to be produced by Denzel Washington, whose own contemplation of Black American history has long been central to his cultural prominence.
—
Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 10 Dec. 2024
This duality — one ancient city rooted in heritage, the other a symbol of modernity — prompts contemplation on how each has nurtured cultural and economic growth for its people.
—The Editors Of Artnews, ARTnews.com, 3 Dec. 2024
The billionaire founder’s defeatism—and private contemplation about leaving the U.S.—are shared by a cadre of wealthy Democratic Party backers, who have been left licking their wounds and trying to move forward after Harris’s defeat, the Times reported.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 2 Dec. 2024
Mercury’s entrance to philosophical Sagittarius suggests contemplation as a means to discover what is true for you.
—USA TODAY, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for contemplation 
Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 10 Dec. 2024
This duality — one ancient city rooted in heritage, the other a symbol of modernity — prompts contemplation on how each has nurtured cultural and economic growth for its people.
—The Editors Of Artnews, ARTnews.com, 3 Dec. 2024
The billionaire founder’s defeatism—and private contemplation about leaving the U.S.—are shared by a cadre of wealthy Democratic Party backers, who have been left licking their wounds and trying to move forward after Harris’s defeat, the Times reported.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 2 Dec. 2024
Mercury’s entrance to philosophical Sagittarius suggests contemplation as a means to discover what is true for you.
—USA TODAY, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for contemplation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemplation
Noun
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For me, starting my mornings with a good workout, meditation and time to journal my thoughts and think clearly primes me for the rest of the day.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
-
Joyful or life-affirming activities (say, hobbies like painting or baking) or things that lift your spirits (such as exercise or meditation) might seem frivolous in the face of pressing caregiver responsibilities.—
Korin Miller,
SELF,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
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That said, apart from anticipation of Trump sitting in the Oval Office, muted back-to-back inflation readings for December also buoyed animal spirits in the markets: All sectors of the market ended the week in the green.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
20 Jan. 2025
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These have drawn the largest crowds and inspired the most breathless anticipation.—
Ron Elving,
NPR,
18 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The expectation is based on previous releases of Palestinian terrorists for Israeli hostages involved in the Palestinian murderers returning to fight Israel.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
Fox News,
20 Jan. 2025
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This sense of optimism for the future accompanies rosy expectations for the U.S. economy and global affairs, according to the poll, which was released on Inauguration Day.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
20 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near contemplation
Cite this Entry
“Contemplation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemplation. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
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