thinking

1 of 3

noun

think·​ing ˈthiŋ-kiŋ How to pronounce thinking (audio)
Synonyms of thinkingnext
1
: the action of using one's mind to produce thoughts
2
a
: opinion, judgment
I'd like to know your thinking on this
b
: thought that is characteristic (as of a period, group, or person)
the current student thinking on fraternities

thinking

2 of 3

adjective

: marked by use of the intellect : rational
thinking citizens
thinkingly adverb
thinkingness noun

thinking

3 of 3

present participle of think entry 1

Synonyms of thinking

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Adjective

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Examples of thinking in a Sentence

Noun Form your own opinions: don't let others do your thinking for you! I've been doing some thinking about this, and I don't think you're right after all. The school's curriculum encourages independent thinking. A piece of quick thinking got us out of trouble. I'd like to know your thinking on this. What is the current thinking on the subject? Adjective Chess is a thinking man's game. it's surprising to find thinking people who believe such nonsense
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
That, to me, raises the question of how universities should build the human competencies such as deep thinking, analytical reasoning, judgment, and taste. — Matt Vandenberg, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026 Researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health tracked nearly 1,000 adults age 65 and older who showed no signs of memory or thinking problems when the study began in 2013. — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Adjective
Humor can release the writer from values of the past, along with judgment and disapproval, and instead, humor can become the very conduit for re-thinking events. — Literary Hub, 14 Nov. 2025 Nibert loved the free-thinking spirit of the village and its college. — Keith Bierygolick, Cincinnati.com, 28 Aug. 2019 See All Example Sentences for thinking

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1605, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of thinking was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing thinking

Rhymes for thinking

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Browse Nearby Words

think for oneself
thinking
thinking cap
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Cite this Entry

“Thinking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thinking. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

thinking

1 of 2 noun
1
: the action of using one's mind to produce thoughts
2
a
: opinion sense 1, judgment
it is, to my thinking, utter nonsense
b
: thought entry 2 sense 2
the current thinking on the subject

thinking

2 of 2 adjective
: marked by use of the power of thinking
thinking citizens

More from Merriam-Webster on thinking

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about thinking

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