cogitate

verb

ˈkä-jə-ˌtāt How to pronounce cogitate (audio)
Definition of cogitatenext
as in to contemplate
to give serious and careful thought to by the time he finishes cogitating what to do with his life, it'll be almost over

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word cogitate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of cogitate are deliberate, reason, reflect, speculate, and think. While all these words mean "to use one's powers of conception, judgment, or inference," cogitate implies deep or intent thinking.

cogitated on the mysteries of nature

When is it sensible to use deliberate instead of cogitate?

The words deliberate and cogitate can be used in similar contexts, but deliberate suggests slow or careful reasoning before forming an opinion or reaching a conclusion or decision.

the jury deliberated for five hours

When might reason be a better fit than cogitate?

Although the words reason and cogitate have much in common, reason stresses consecutive logical thinking.

able to reason brilliantly in debate

When is reflect a more appropriate choice than cogitate?

In some situations, the words reflect and cogitate are roughly equivalent. However, reflect suggests unhurried consideration of something recalled to the mind.

reflecting on fifty years of married life

When can speculate be used instead of cogitate?

While in some cases nearly identical to cogitate, speculate implies reasoning about things theoretical or problematic.

speculated on the fate of the lost explorers

In what contexts can think take the place of cogitate?

The words think and cogitate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, think is general and may apply to any mental activity, but used alone often suggests attainment of clear ideas or conclusions.

teaches students how to think

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 cogitate What made those songs work, and these, is the sound of Byrne’s mind cogitating inside them. — Will Hermes, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2025 Instead of accelerating the singular, the company’s leadership is doing like Isaacson and cogitating in logic. — Big Think, 3 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cogitate
  1. contemplate
  2. ponder
  3. entertain
  4. consider
  5. debate
  6. study
  7. question
Verb
  • Emergency experts working day and night contemplated various entry and exit routes from the nearest accessible access point, about 75 feet away from where Gil was trapped.
    — Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
  • With a new album out this summer—her first in a decade—Madonna’s reemergence on the pop scene has left many of us contemplating her ultimate place in its firmament.
    — Alex Frank, Vogue, 2 July 2026
Definition of contemplate
Verb
  • This anxiety often leads to rumination, where individuals endlessly ponder potential outcomes without actual preparation, mistakenly equating thinking with problem-solving.
    — Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
  • Bravo is sipping its cuppa and pondering what to do about those interesting ladies across the pond.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 1 July 2026
Definition of ponder
Verb
  • Even now at more than 50 years old, there is something undeniable about the movie’s ability to entertain, delight and terrify an audience.
    — Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • The on-site Children’s Garden adds to its appeal, with interactive features that keep younger visitors entertained for hours.
    — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2026
Definition of entertain
Verb
  • And on bikes no-one sane would ever consider banging around a racetrack on.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 July 2026
  • The Teller's wedding no-show still comes a surprise, considering Keleigh has been friends with Taylor for well over a decade.
    — Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 6 July 2026
Definition of consider
Verb
  • Georgia’s most influential dishes could be debated vigorously, but there’s no question that food has been an integral part of the South’s culture.
    — Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 4 July 2026
  • The other was Michael Longfellow’s sketch about a guy dying at the top of a waterslide and debating whether he should be pushed down the slide or carried down the stairs, which was the only thing Bargatze kept talking about all week.
    — Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 4 July 2026
Definition of debate
Verb
  • Two years later, Kingswill is now studying civil engineering at UC Davis.
    — Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 4 July 2026
  • The origins of Gymshark can be traced back to 2012, when Francis was still a teenager, studying by day at Birmingham’s Aston University, delivering pizzas for Pizza Hut at night and spending his free time at the gym.
    — Robert Olsen, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of study
Verb
  • Buchhorn’s conviction was overturned in 2021, after the Court of Appeals of Kansas found Buchhorn’s defense did not sufficiently question Erik Mitchell of Frontier Forensics Midwest, an independent contractor who performed Oliver’s autopsy.
    — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026
  • Trump has routinely teased the possibility of seeking a third term since returning to office and openly questioned whether he would be allowed to do so.
    — Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
Definition of question

Browse Nearby Words

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cogitate
cogitated
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Cite this Entry

“Cogitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cogitate. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cogitate

Nglish: Translation of cogitate for Spanish Speakers

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