ponder

verb

ˈpän-dər How to pronounce ponder (audio)
Definition of pondernext
as in to contemplate
to give serious and careful thought to I'm pondering whether or not I should join another committee

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of ponder are meditate, muse, and ruminate. While all these words mean "to consider or examine attentively or deliberately," ponder implies a careful weighing of a problem or, often, prolonged inconclusive thinking about a matter.

pondered the course of action

In what contexts can meditate take the place of ponder?

While the synonyms meditate and ponder are close in meaning, meditate implies a definite focusing of one's thoughts on something so as to understand it deeply.

meditated on the meaning of life

When would muse be a good substitute for ponder?

The synonyms muse and ponder are sometimes interchangeable, but muse suggests a more or less focused daydreaming as in remembrance.

mused upon childhood joys

When is it sensible to use ruminate instead of ponder?

The words ruminate and ponder are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 ponder The Liberty Bell, with its famous crack, hasn’t been rung in 180 years, but that hasn’t stopped scientists from pondering what the bell might have sounded like when tolling. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 15 Oct. 2026 In addition, Mendes and the studio have been pondering a highly unique reporting structure for the films’ box office receipts. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026 On a night in London, a British interior designer and architect named Edward William Godwin holed up in his room to ponder the purpose of beauty. — Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026 In his own practice, Nagy pondered heady subject matter related to the corporatization of art and transmission of ideas and images across the globe. — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ponder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ponder
  1. contemplate
  2. consider
  3. entertain
  4. debate
  5. study
  6. question
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
  • Marketed under the brand name Keytruda, pembrolizumab is considered to be something of a wonder drug in its own right, with just 30% of patients relapsing in the first two years of treatment.
    — Mike McRae October 25, New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Operators must consider what happens when that material eventually returns to Earth.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of consider
Verb
  • Keep scrolling to shop our ultimate Thanksgiving hosting guide, featuring cooking essentials, entertaining must haves, table decor and more.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Later, she’s entertained by a mouse running along the baseboard of one of London’s more elegant restaurants.
    — Sarah Crompton, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of entertain
Verb
  • This month, the council held a nine-hour hearing to debate tax proposals, including the BAT, as the council attempts to mitigate budget shortfalls for fiscal year 2028.
    — Irit Skulnik, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
  • When Risch declined to debate, Achilles showed up to directly confront the incumbent at a limited public appearance in Boise, where Risch was set to speak at a 9/11 memorial event.
    — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of debate
Verb
  • In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge convened a board to study aviation for national defense.
    — Neil Chatterjee, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The structure combines features of honeycomb and Kagome lattices, arrangements that scientists study for their unusual electronic properties.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of study
Verb
  • Prosecutors said the 33-year-old suspect, a German citizen who has ties to the Berchtesgaden area but doesn't currently live there, was questioned.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • A number of protesters were also taken in for questioning and not allowed to join planned marches, according to local media.
    — Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of question

Browse Nearby Words

pond
ponder
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Cite this Entry

“Ponder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ponder. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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