CONTINGENT Synonyms: 228 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

contingent 1 of 2

noun

Definition of contingent

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

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

as in random

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

as in probable

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

as in relative

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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

Perhaps no contingent appears better suited to topple soccer’s ruling class from its pedestal than the seven remaining nations of the Confederation of African Football. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 30 June 2026 His performance earned him hearty pats on the back from Counsell when he was pulled in the sixth and loud cheers from the strong Cubs contingent among the 40,193 fans at American Family Field. — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026

Adjective

During the past decade, underwriters have pushed buzzy tech companies into adopting more staggered or shortened release dates for insiders to sell their shares, some even contingent on earnings or stock-price increases to dampen the flow. — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 3 July 2026 So the scientists’ 2026 raises were contingent on lawmakers’ approval in the latest budget negotiations. — William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for contingent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contingent

Noun

Other foreign attendees included the president of Iraq, the Afghan foreign minister and a delegation from Hamas.

— Hadeel Al-Shalchi, NPR, 4 July 2026
A number of visiting foreign dignitaries, including former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and delegations from China, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, India and Afghanistan, also visited the site, according to the official Islamic Republic News Agency.

— Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 3 July 2026

Definition of delegation

Noun

The possibility of disruptions to oil flows via the Strait of Hormuz, however, might not entirely be discounted, which could complicate energy supply calculus.

— Justina Lee, CNBC, 6 July 2026
Efraín Juárez, then the coach of Pumas, was asked about the possibility of his team ending a long title drought.

— Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026

Definition of possibility

Adjective

Verbeek also has lost four key defensemen — captain Radko Gudas, Jacob Trouba, John Carlson and Olen Zellweger — in the past month while adding only journeyman Nick Jensen as a probable replacement.

— Greg Beacham, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Lowe’s matchup is arguably the best for hitting a home run on Saturday’s MLB slate, given the sample sizes of the probable pitchers.

— Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026

Definition of probable

Adjective

Standard container dimensions also enable civilian transportation infrastructure to move military assets with relative ease, improving operational flexibility, reported SCMP.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026
Another factor in the increasing scores across the board in Florida could be the relative youth of the FAST test, which was first used in 2022.

— Austin Horn July 3, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026

Definition of relative

Adjective

Borgen, acquired from the New York Rangers for a 2027 second-round pick and a conditional 2028 third-rounder, is a stay-at-home right-shot defenseman.

— Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 2 July 2026
The man, who cannot be named due to legal restrictions preventing children alleged to be victims of crime from being identified, has been granted conditional bail and will appear before Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday, July 15.

— Adam England, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026

Definition of conditional

Cite this Entry

Style

“Contingent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contingent. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of contingent

noun

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on contingent

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

perfunctory

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes

Synonyms of contingent

noun

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Phrases Containing contingent

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on contingent

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

perfunctory

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes