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

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
However, the outfield contingent is looking less secure than expected. Gabrielle Starr, Hartford Courant, 9 Mar. 2025 While a slew of Red Sox players and top prospects were home in Fort Myers battling a stomach bug, a healthy contingent traveled to Bradenton and spent Tuesday afternoon beating up on the Pittsburgh Pirates 12-4. Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
And the plan to overhaul the region’s transportation system is contingent in part on federal dollars. Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 6 Feb. 2025 But the Saudis have said an agreement is contingent on the creation of an independent Palestinian state. Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for contingent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contingent
Noun
  • Hamas, meanwhile, sent a delegation to Cairo to discuss the cease-fire negotiations with Egyptian officials.
    Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Strong delegation prevents bottlenecks, boosts efficiency and helps the team grow.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • What makes the possibility of Ovechkin breaking Gretzky’s goal record this season so special is that Ovechkin would be doing it at the same seasonal rate as Gretzky did.
    Dom Luszczyszyn, The Athletic, 6 Mar. 2025
  • However, Lutnick appeared to rule out the possibility that Trump would lift the tariffs entirely.
    Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Webroot can securely erase files for you, overwriting them with random data three times, by default.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 7 Mar. 2025
  • The results derived from a random sampling of 1,004 adults aged 18 and over living in all 50 states, based on phone interviews, with a margin of error plus or minus four percent and with a 95 percent confidence level.
    Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Another probable place to lay blame is the social media companies that draw kids in, memorizing their patterns through algorithms to keep them viewing and engaged.
    Katie Grant, Parents, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Friday Rockies probable pitchers: LHP Kyle Freeland, RHP Antonio Senzatela, RHP Angel Chivilli, RHP Diego Castillo, LHP Evan Justice, LHP Jack O’Loughlin.
    Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Bloys was clear, however, that WBD wasn’t entirely dependent on Rowling for the project.
    Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 7 Mar. 2025
  • The launch date is dependent on spacecraft traffic to the ISS and in-orbit activity planning and constraints that have to be coordinated with NASA.
    Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Outrage follows conditional release of CT cannibal killer.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2025
  • The Jets gave the Packers a 2023 second-rounder, a 2023 sixth-rounder and a conditional 2024 second-rounder that would have become a first-round pick if Rodgers had played 65% of the snaps in 2024.
    Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 28 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • For your final evening on Grand Turk, make a reservation at Secret Garden, an intimate restaurant at the Salt Raker Inn where every sunset is a social event.
    Laura Begley Bloom, AFAR Media, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Every March, the Japanese Friendship Garden hosts its annual event when its cherry blossoms are typically in bloom.
    San Diego Union-Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • What started as a practical swap in immigrant communities became a beloved holiday meal—one that still brings people together, even as its form continues to change.
    Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Here's some step-by-step, practical advice about how to keep your toaster oven clean— and advice on how to clean it when all seems lost.
    Matthew Korfhage, WIRED, 16 Mar. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Contingent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contingent. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.

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