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
The full moon marks the end of the monthly lunar cycle, creating a time of reflection, contemplation and rejuvenation.
—
Lisa Stardust, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025
In the garden, there are benches ideal for contemplation amid the hum of pollinators and the caress of soft breezes.
—Frances MacDougall, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2025
And, where many other Stoic writers suggest seeking the divine through contemplation of the stars or natural landscapes, Pliny does the same with bugs and grubs.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 5 Mar. 2025
In the weeks before the election, former President Barack Obama gave moral sermons and philosophical treatises on behalf of the Harris-Walz campaign, his speeches suggesting that politics still existed in a social atmosphere of contemplation and debate.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contemplation
Lisa Stardust, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025
In the garden, there are benches ideal for contemplation amid the hum of pollinators and the caress of soft breezes.
—Frances MacDougall, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2025
And, where many other Stoic writers suggest seeking the divine through contemplation of the stars or natural landscapes, Pliny does the same with bugs and grubs.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 5 Mar. 2025
In the weeks before the election, former President Barack Obama gave moral sermons and philosophical treatises on behalf of the Harris-Walz campaign, his speeches suggesting that politics still existed in a social atmosphere of contemplation and debate.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contemplation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemplation
Noun
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Try your hand at yoga (even aerial yoga and yoga atop a standup paddleboard) or meditation, either alone or at an AYANA class.—
Johanna Read,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
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Grounding in being present is developed in virtually all forms of meditation and mindfulness training.—
Ginny Whitelaw,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
Noun
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On Sunday night minutes before the start of the Spokane Regional championship match between UConn and USC the stadium was not only buzzing with anticipation of the game but the news that hit social media: graduate guard Olivia Miles had entered the transfer portal.—
Allison Smith,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
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The video shows Meghan watching in anticipation as her mother, 68, samples the dessert.—
Simon Perry,
People.com,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Consumer sentiment in April fell to the lowest level since June 2022 and Americans' inflation expectations a year from now rose to 6.7%, the highest since 1981, according to a survey by the University of Michigan.—
Paul Davidson,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
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At the same time, respondents’ expectation for inflation a year from now leaped to 6.7%, the highest level since November 1981 and up from 5% in March.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contemplation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemplation. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
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