muse 1 of 2

noun

Definition of musenext
as in poet
a person who writes poetry where is the muse who will sing of this man's great and noble deeds?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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muse

2 of 2

verb

as in to ruminate

Related Words

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of muse are meditate, ponder, and ruminate. While all these words mean "to consider or examine attentively or deliberately," muse suggests a more or less focused daydreaming as in remembrance.

mused upon childhood joys

When is it sensible to use meditate instead of muse?

While in some cases nearly identical to muse, meditate implies a definite focusing of one's thoughts on something so as to understand it deeply.

meditated on the meaning of life

When might ponder be a better fit than muse?

The meanings of ponder and muse largely overlap; however, ponder implies a careful weighing of a problem or, often, prolonged inconclusive thinking about a matter.

pondered the course of action

Where would ruminate be a reasonable alternative to muse?

While the synonyms ruminate and muse are close in meaning, ruminate implies going over the same matter in one's thoughts again and again but suggests little of either purposive thinking or rapt absorption.

ruminated on past disappointments

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 muse
Noun
Skip to main content More To Discover As the most discerning, up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel, Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse, offering both inspiration and vital intel. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026 But Tip Toe is a drama for an age in which Leo at one point muses that queerphobia can no longer be chalked up to a lack of visibility. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
In the case of this post from Thursday, one user invoked Greek philosopher Heraclitus and a 12th-century Arab poet to muse on the nature of existence. — Jared Perlo, NBC news, 30 Jan. 2026 Dale gets a moment near the end of the episode to muse darkly about the dangers of this line of work, but the most impactful reaction comes from Boss during the drive to the hospital. — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 30 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for muse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muse
  1. poet
  2. ruminate
  3. minstrel
  4. ponder
  5. meditate
  6. contemplate
  7. reflect
  8. project
Noun
  • Biermann, the new documentary film from Jens Meurer (An Impossible Project, Public Enemy, Seaside Special), is a portrait of the outspoken political singer-songwriter and poet Wolf Biermann.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Aside from his work on screen, the Londoner is an accomplished poet whose work explores themes of masculinity, love, grief and connection.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of poet
Verb
  • So, Otto sits at the end of the counter, ruminating on the past weeks, then downs his glass of Gordon’s.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The most tonally bizarre Apes movie ruminates on that question with a mixture of money-saving light comedy and mic-drop grimness.
    — Jesse Hassenger, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of ruminate
Noun
  • Last month, retailer Target pulled a children’s Halloween costume from its shelves after widespread social media backlash, apologizing for selling a garment that critics said evoked racist minstrel caricatures.
    — Dave Collins, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
  • In August, discount retailer Target stopped selling a children's Halloween costume that some critics said evoked racist minstrel caricatures, The Associated Press reported.
    — Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of minstrel
Verb
  • No one interested in pondering what looks like an intractably difficult conflict need turn their attention to Iran or Israel.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Newsom, in the podcast, appeared to already be considering them while pondering what to do next.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of ponder
Verb
  • Throughout, Kwon also meditates on memories of and nostalgia for the experience of growing up as a child of Asian immigrants in the United States.
    — Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Koon would later be diagnosed with depression, and has since feared meditating again.
    — Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of meditate
Verb
  • Article 39 also contemplates an Accountability and Care Committee that helps to develop injury-surveillance systems and conducts investigations.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Anyone contemplating retirement abroad should investigate insurance, emergency arrangements and the ability to pay upfront before making the move.
    — Lance B. Fulford, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of contemplate
Verb
  • Hackett said adjusting investments to reflect personal financial goals, changes in risk tolerance, or shifting income needs are good reasons to make changes.
    — Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
  • As an avid Halloween fan who loves donning costumes, she was forced to reflect on her own consumption and waste.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of reflect
Verb
  • The bank ultimately experienced more than $40 billion of deposit outflows on March 9, 2023; management actually projected that requests would exceed $100 billion the following day.
    — Erik Clarke, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Industry experts project that overturning the Roadless Rule could lead to a five to ten percent boost in federal timber sales.
    — Kirk Siegler, NPR, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of project

Browse Nearby Words

muscularly
muse
mused
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Cite this Entry

“Muse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muse. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about muse

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