contingent 1 of 2

noun

Definition of contingentnext
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

2 of 2

adjective

1
as in random

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Dissimilar Words
2
as in probable

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Dissimilar Words
3
as in relative

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4
as in conditional

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Dissimilar Words

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
First lady Eleanor Roosevelt was part of a contingent that intervened, and Anderson sang on Easter Sunday on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, the first time the monument had been used for a civil rights event. — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026 Timmy No Brakes is from the Kill Tony contingent that prizes making a strong first impression. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2026
Adjective
Proof, for either side of a bad faith debate, that the invitation to the Ivory Tower is contingent for most of us. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026 The deal is still contingent on the official closing of the transaction in the coming weeks. — ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contingent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contingent
  1. delegation
  2. possibility
  3. random
  4. probable
  5. relative
  6. conditional
  7. event
  8. inadvertent
Noun
  • Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir will lead an official delegation traveling to Tehran on Monday, Iranian state television reported, citing Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • In response, Turkey’s Defense Ministry said Thursday there was no Turkish military delegation at the Syrian air base before or during Israel’s attack.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of delegation
Noun
  • Another, lesser possibility, is that some technical issue was discovered at the last minute with either the complex Chang’e 7 payload, or the rocket.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Titan, Saturn’s largest moon and the destination of NASA’s upcoming Dragonfly mission, is one intriguing possibility.
    — Nolan Roth, Scientific American, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of possibility
Adjective
  • The backgrounds are sparse and artifical, with generous bloomed lighting and mist applied to seemingly random places.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Paralympic ticket sales will begin sometime in 2027 with a random draw or lottery, similar to how Olympic sales began.
    — Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of random
Adjective
  • The first term may make the second plausible, compatible or even probable, but plausibility is not identity, compatibility is not implication, probability is not necessity, and similarity of appearance is not proof of sameness of nature.
    — Hamilton Mann, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Officially, probable 2028 POTUS candidate Newsom’s office did not have anything to say about any deal or the end of any deal on SB 122.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of probable
Adjective
  • These relative trillions, of course, are hard for the human brain to comprehend.
    — Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 21 Aug. 2026
  • That's because stocks are once again richly valued while bonds are super cheap on a relative basis.
    — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of relative
Adjective
  • Efficiency maximizes performance conditional on assumptions holding.
    — Dr. Aditya Vikram Kashyap, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Alejandro Garnacho, initially for sale for £40m, ended up joining Aston Villa on loan with a conditional obligation-to-buy clause based on a minimum number of appearances next season.
    — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of conditional
Noun
  • Several schools were competing at the track event when Anthony sat under the Memorial High School tent that was perched in the bleachers.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Another aspect for King Charles and Prince William to consider is whether to fold the Sussexes into private family events – such as Easter in Windsor or Christmas at Sandringham.
    — Max Foster, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of event
Adjective
  • Officials blamed the inadvertent incursion on Russian electronic warfare.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026
  • After the game, Clark said the contact was inadvertent and that no words were exchanged.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of inadvertent

Phrases Containing contingent

Browse Nearby Words

contingency
contingent
contingent (on or upon)
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Cite this Entry

“Contingent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contingent. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on contingent

Nglish: Translation of contingent for Spanish Speakers

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