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

Related Words

Dissimilar Words
2
as in probable

Related Words

Dissimilar Words
3
as in relative

Related Words

Dissimilar Words
4
as in conditional

Related Words

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
There should be a decent contingent of American cardinals and archbishops at the games. — ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026 About half of that money will come from the general fund, contingent on a long-term program design from city council. — Chierstin Roth, CBS News, 19 Oct. 2026
Adjective
The Dodgers were a convenient boogeyman, but the owners’ desire for cost-control is not actually contingent on the results of a small-sample-size tournament. — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026 When Wyandotte County made that decision, commissioners voted that distribution of future local sales tax dollars would be contingent on several terms that were intended to give the community a seat at the table in ongoing negotiations. — Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 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
  • The full 12-company delegation spans original story IP in drama, film, animation and web novels, as well as generative AI, interactive entertainment and fan platforms.
    — Deadline, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2026
  • John Lawrence, Pelosi’s former chief of staff, said that Becerra’s standing within the California delegation and particularly among Latino lawmakers was a big part of his appeal.
    — Ben Wieder, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of delegation
Noun
  • This discovery establishes a new way to couple mechanical motion and electricity at the smallest scales, opening new possibilities for molecular electronics.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Over the summer, Zuckerberg shared with Meta advisors his plans to relocate outside California to avoid the possibility of a significant reduction in his control over the company as a result of selling enough stock to fund a 5% tax.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of possibility
Adjective
  • The audit, released Monday, identified a host of issues, including regulators’ failure to meet regular inspection schedules or to conduct sufficient random checks at dispensaries for contaminated products.
    — Christopher Osher, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026
  • There is nothing truly random about whether a coin comes up heads or tails.
    — Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of random
Adjective
  • When a conjunction is probable, SSA/STC service providers alert the operators involved, who then decide whether to undertake a collision-avoidance maneuver.
    — David Zamora, Space.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The former will undoubtedly be supplied by Jacob Misiorowski, the Brewers’ 24-year-old flame-throwing phenom and probable Cy Young Award winner.
    — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of probable
Adjective
  • The 5-year relative survival rate for non-small cell lung cancer is 67% if the cancer has not spread outside of the lung, according to the ACS.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The first is a ratio chart, which is one of the best tools for gauging relative strength.
    — Todd Gordon, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of relative
Adjective
  • The psychologist who examined Aguilar asked social workers at Federal Medical Center Carswell, the prison where Aguilar has been incarcerated, to put together a conditional release plan.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The fraternity was previously placed on probation, a conditional warning that included fines, following claims of hazing in July.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of conditional
Noun
  • The last includes those black-swan events that come out of left field and test a company’s resilience, from war to pandemics.
    — Diane Brady, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Last year, Kort helped launch an Eat the Invaders event, bringing chefs together to channel people’s appetite for delicious food by cooking with invasive and overabundant species.
    — Victoria Malloy, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of event
Adjective
  • Given that the dynamic between Europe and Russia is now characterized by pervasive mutual suspicion, conspiracy theories, and expectations of war, there is a growing danger of inadvertent escalation.
    — Dmitry Adamsky, Foreign Affairs, 21 Oct. 2026
  • When a leader announces that a new tool will simplify processes, there’s an inadvertent message sent to employees.
    — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 20 Oct. 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 28 Oct. 2026.

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