Thesaurus results for CONTEMPLATION

contemplation

noun

ˌkän-təm-ˈplā-shən

Definition of contemplation

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

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 Trish and Dan Bell Chapel The Trish and Dan Bell Chapel will serve as a gathering place for worship, contemplation and spiritual strengthening at FIU. — Florida International University, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026 Many crude laughs were bolstered by the attached contemplation. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 30 June 2026 Its challenges require active engagement, not passive contemplation. — Literary Hub, 17 June 2026 Sterman, after much contemplation, decided to use natives but didn’t develop a detailed plan. — Nicole Sours Larson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for contemplation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemplation

Noun

Practicing meditation, visualization, or deep breathing may help in distracting from the discomfort of a full bladder for a short time.

— Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 14 Aug. 2026
Other common practices among Druids include the celebration of seasonal festivals, meditation, and divination.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of meditation

Noun

When the Fed eventually resumes cutting rates, whether that's later this year or in 2027, banks are likely to adjust new CD rates downward in anticipation well before the decision is official.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
The colors sparked an immediate sense of joy, and a fizz of anticipation bubbled through our group.

— Megan Wilkes, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of anticipation

Browse Nearby Words

contemplating

contemplation

contemplations

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Contemplation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemplation. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of contemplation

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on contemplation

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

august

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes