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

2 of 2

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
  • Reports indicate that Trump later directed his officials to dismiss the Ukrainian delegation from the White House, despite their objections.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025
  • The Ukrainian delegation left the White House soon after.
    Katya Soldak, Forbes, 2 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
  • 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
  • Webroot can securely erase files for you, overwriting them with random data three times, by default.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 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
  • Coordinate Non-Event Marketing Integrated marketing keeps the event benefits going.
    Karolyn Raphael, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Koster previously won silver in the event at the 2015 European Indoor Championships and had finished second in her qualifying race before the incident in the final this weekend.
    Julia Andersen, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • In the following scene, Scott’s character tries to destroy the monkey with a flame thrower, another practical effect.
    Jack Dunn, Variety, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Others have raised ethical concerns about the company’s goals and asked practical questions, such as what effect mammoth-like elephants would have on the environment.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Mar. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Contingent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contingent. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on contingent

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