contingent 1 of 2

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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

Examples 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
Helms and Thurmond had anchored a small but potent contingent of primarily Southern senators who resisted talk of the canal's transfer to Panama. Ron Elving, NPR, 28 Dec. 2024 It was paired with a matching fascinator and scarf as well as black gloves and boots in a coordinated matching moment with Queen Camilla, who led the royal contingent on the walk along with her husband, King Charles. Rachel Burchfield, People.com, 26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
However, finding closure isn’t always contingent on external factors, such as receiving an apology or a final conversation with the other person. Mark Travers, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024 Trump has also been signaling that his support for Johnson is contingent on how the Louisiana Republican proceeds. Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for contingent 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contingent
Noun
  • The Minnesota Democrat has steadily been racking up endorsements from a handful of state party delegations and state party leaders across the country.
    Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 13 Jan. 2025
  • The Why Is Karen Bass Under Scrutiny—including From Fire Chief Crowley? Bass has faced criticism for being in Ghana with a delegation sent by President Joe Biden to attend the country’s presidential inauguration when the fires broke out.
    Sara Dorn, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Israel and much of the international community have been skeptical about the possibility of a multinational force in Gaza, and with good reason.
    Nir Arielli, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
  • That's forced people in her line of work to contend with the possibility of multiple disasters happening across the country at the same time and their impact on available resources and funding.
    Shawna Chen, Axios, 16 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
  • Public and commercial architecture has long been dependent on a global supply chain, routines of construction, and the conventional wisdom of brokers.
    Justin Davidson, Curbed, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Officials stressed that future policy moves will be dependent on how the data unfolds and are not on a set schedule.
    Jeff Cox, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Newsom's office didn't immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment about Johnson's and other Republicans' remarks about conditional aid on Monday.
    USA TODAY, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2025
  • Employers cannot ask about criminal history until after a conditional offer is made.
    Alonzo Martinez, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Raymond James Stadium — home of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers — can hold about 65,000 for most events, and capacity can be increased a bit if necessary.
    Tim Reynolds, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2025
  • The president also had an event scheduled Tuesday in California to announce new national monuments.
    Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • While a necessary starting point, working with dogs wasn’t a great long-term solution due to practical and moral concerns.
    Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 15 Jan. 2025
  • Beyond the legal obligations, the closure of College Walk has practical consequences that cannot be ignored.
    Victor Edwards, New York Daily News, 15 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near contingent

Cite this Entry

“Contingent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contingent. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

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