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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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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This is not the same as meditation, which is beneficial in other ways but involves concentrating on your breath or on a mantra.—
Olga Khazan,
The Atlantic,
14 Apr. 2025
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His latest exhibition, Inward Cartography: Self of Selves, now on view at Library Street Collective in Detroit, is a striking meditation on the emotional and spiritual terrain of identity.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
12 Apr. 2025
Noun
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There is also mounting anticipation for a Battle of Ontario series pitting the Senators against the rival Toronto Maple Leafs.—
Julian McKenzie,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2025
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The anticipation of new messages, posts or updates can create a sense of social pressure to stay online and reinforce the habit of delaying sleep.—
Brian N. Chin,
The Conversation,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Contemplation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemplation. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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