contingent 1 of 2

1
as in delegation
a body of persons chosen as representatives of a larger group the local Scout troop traditionally sends a large contingent to the jamboree

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in possibility
something that might happen officials in charge of managing the national emergency tried to prepare for every contingent, no matter how improbable

Synonyms & Similar Words

contingent

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adjective

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective contingent differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of contingent are accidental, casual, and fortuitous. While all these words mean "not amenable to planning or prediction," contingent suggests possibility of happening but stresses uncertainty and dependence on other future events for existence or occurrence.

the contingent effects of the proposed law

When could accidental be used to replace contingent?

The synonyms accidental and contingent are sometimes interchangeable, but accidental stresses chance.

any resemblance to actual persons is entirely accidental

When would casual be a good substitute for contingent?

While the synonyms casual and contingent are close in meaning, casual stresses lack of real or apparent premeditation or intent.

a casual encounter with a stranger

When might fortuitous be a better fit than contingent?

Although the words fortuitous and contingent have much in common, fortuitous so strongly suggests chance that it often connotes entire absence of cause.

a series of fortuitous events

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 contingent
Noun
Succeed on Saturday at home against Bournemouth and the present contingent will be able to boast about an accomplishment no previous Newcastle team has delivered: 10 straight games across all competitions. Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025 In October, Sotheby’s also unveiled its new Paris HQ in the French capital’s Matignon Saint-Honoré district, where a growing contingent of major galleries have set up shop. George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
The country’s international allies, including the U.S., had hinted that financial support after the war was contingent on a successful presidential election. Natasha Frost, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025 But that pay raise — which was below what the ILA demanded — is contingent on reaching a solution to the automation issue, among other outstanding matters. William Gavin, Quartz, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for contingent 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contingent
Noun
  • Bass had flown to the West African nation Jan. 4 as part of a Biden Administration delegation to the inauguration of the Ghanaian president.
    Laura J. Nelson, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2025
  • This week, Gibson will be part of a small bipartisan delegation of U.S. leaders going to Morocco and Tunisia to engage in cultural and political exchange.
    Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • With this development, medium- and heavy-duty EVs are a possibility across the industry, supporting Maryland’s sustainable transportation priorities and its climate pollution reduction plan.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 28 Jan. 2025
  • The biggest uncertainty for the Fed this year is the potential affect of Trump's trade policies, particularly the possibility of new tariffs.
    Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Oh, the third mode is a combination of both – sets of airbags inflate and deflate in seemingly random order – which has been perhaps my favorite setting.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Go and read random slave narratives and get their experience of the time.
    David Marchese, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Pitt’s cause of death was revealed as sharp and blunt force injuries with probable strangulation, according to the Ventura County Medical Examiner, The Ventura County Star reported.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 17 Jan. 2025
  • In a season in which a Clemson-Alabama CFP rematch seemed probable, this shocker temporarily shook up that inevitability.
    Scott Dochterman, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • There should be no doubt left in the world that the Russian army is dependent on military assistance from North Korea...
    Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
  • While a person's character can be influenced by their environment, strong character is less dependent on external factors, such as social norms and incentives, that might otherwise shape their behavior.
    Mary Crossan, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • In December, the singer entered a conditional plea in Davidson County Circuit Court to two misdemeanor charges of reckless endangerment stemming from the incident.
    Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025
  • That is until Donald Trump issued an executive order on Jan. 20, 2025—the first day of his second term as President—that would make birthright citizenship conditional on the legal status of one’s parents, targeting many of the hundreds of thousands of children born each year to immigrants.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, TIME, 23 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • While Musk was busy rubbing elbows with other billionaires at the event — namely, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Bezos' fiancée, Lauren Sanchez — all eyes were on Musk and Zilis' interaction, as the two keep their exact relationship status private.
    Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
  • The event comes as an Arctic blast affects more than half the U.S. population.
    Aïda Amer, Axios, 22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • And of course, some parents who share their difficult experiences online do provide a valuable service, offering validation and practical insights (on, say, postpartum depression) that aren’t always accessible elsewhere.
    Maytal Eyal, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2025
  • China has achieved a major milestone in the quest for practical commercial fusion power.
    David Szondy, New Atlas, 27 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near contingent

Cite this Entry

“Contingent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contingent. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

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