In the greatest of all works of art everything had been realized, I could give nothing, and my restless mind tired of passive contemplation.
Source: tatoeba (51761)
Contemplation
/ˌkɒntəmˈpleɪʃən/
Synonyms for "contemplation" (254 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (51)
Noun(11 words)
reflectioncogitatingcogitationconsiderationconsideration for othersconsiderationsconsideringcontemplatingcontemplative prayerdeliberationdeliberations
a wise passivenessabsorbed attentionabsorptionadvisementaid prayerangelusanticipationappealapplicationataraxiaataraxyaveave mariabeadrollbeadsbeseechmentbidding prayerboningbrainworkbreviary
Show 20 more words
broodingcalmnesscertaintychapletcollectcommunioncomposureconcentrationconfidenceconningconsiderationcontemplative lifecounselcramcrammingdebatedeductiondeep studydeep thoughtdeliberation
Strong matches (76)
devotionsdiscretiondo-nothing policydo-nothingismdo-nothingnessdormancydrillengagementengrossmententreatyenvisagementenvisionmentexaminationexerciseexpectancyexpectationextensive studyeyeball inspectionfarseeingnessfarsightedness
Show 48 more words
forecastforeglanceforegleamforeglimpseforehandednessforeseeingforesightforesightednessgracegrindgrindinghail maryheadworkidlenessimmersionimminenceimmobilityimperturbabilityimpetrationimplorationinactioninactivityindolenceinertiainertnessinspectionintentnessintercessioninvocationinvolvementkyrie eleisonlaissez fairelaissez-allerlaissez-fairelaissez-faireismlitanylongsightednesslooking aheadlucid stillnesslucubrationmarmoreal reposemeditationmental labormonomaniamusingneutralismneutralityneutralness
Noun(8 words)
italian riflessionemeditatingmeditationmeditationsmore reflectivemullingmusingmystical contemplation
Related words (127)
nirvananoninvolvementnonparticipationnonresistancenonviolencenonviolent resistanceobsecrationobsessionobtestationocular inspectionorisonoverviewpacifismparalysispassive resistancepassive self-annihilationpassivenesspassivismpassivitypaternoster
Show 88 more words
peacepeacefulnessperusalpetitionplacidityplacidnesspolicyponderingpracticeprayerprayer wheelpredictionpreoccupationpreparationprepublicationpreviewprevisionprobabilityprocrastinationprofound thoughtprospectprospectionprovidenceprovisionprudencequiescencequiescencyquietquietismquietnessquietuderapt attentionreadinessreadingreflectionreliancereposerestrestfulnessrestudyrestudyingreveriereviewrevolvingrogationrosaryruminationsagacitysatoriscrutinyserenitysilencesilent prayersilken reposesingle-mindednesssleepslumberspeculationstagnancystagnationstandpattismstasisstillnessstudiousnessstudystudyingsubjectsubmersionsuitsupplicationsurveyswottingthanksthanksgivingthe eyethoughttranquillityunastonishmentvegetationvettingviewvisual examinationvita contemplativawaiting gamewatching and waitingweighingwide readingwise passiveness
Noun(18 words)
Adjective(1 words)
reflective thinking
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: reflection, a wise passiveness, absorbed attention, absorption, advisement.
- Sentence evidence is available for contemplation, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, moby, derived_reverse, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "contemplation".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "contemplation"
Keep "contemplation" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "contemplation" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "contemplation", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "contemplation" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
6 entriesMore specific
5 entriesdeep thinkingintrospective analysismeditative prayermystical contemplationsilent contemplation
Collocations
6 entriescontemplation of ethical issuescontemplative practicedeep contemplationextended contemplationself reflectionsilent contemplation
Inflections
1 entriesDerivations
3 entriesSample sentences
14 total sentences available.
Islamic culture has given us majestic arches and soaring spires; timeless poetry and cherished music; elegant calligraphy and places of peaceful contemplation.
Source: tatoeba (376893)
The superior gratification derived from the use and contemplation of costly and supposedly beautiful products is, commonly, in great measure a gratification of our sense of costliness masquerading under the name of beauty.
Source: tatoeba (425389)
Love is like some fresh spring, that leaves its cresses, its gravel bed and flowers to become first a stream and then a river, changing its aspect and its nature as it flows to plunge itself in some boundless ocean, where restricted natures only find monotony, but where great souls are engulfed in endless contemplation.
Source: tatoeba (857465)
Showing 4 of 14 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "contemplation"?
Closest matches include reflection, a wise passiveness, absorbed attention, absorption, advisement.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "contemplation"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.