PONDERED Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

pondered

verb

past tense of ponder

as in contemplated

to give serious and careful thought to I'm pondering whether or not I should join another committee

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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 pondered 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 The school understands that Sanders will still bring eyeballs to their program, but the question of whether this experiment should continue into 2027 is one that deserves to be pondered. — Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026 As fans and critics embraced her ability to snake in and out of R&B with her pop sensibilities, many pondered whether the label knew what to do with such a talent. — Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 5 Oct. 2026 It might be pondered, for example, by people who love pets, consider the ethics of eating meat, or worry about the biosphere. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Sep. 2026 For more than a year, industry stakeholders in Georgia and the rest of the country have pondered how public policy could help jolt the film industry in the United States. — Savannah Sicurella, AJC.com, 25 Sep. 2026 Many have pondered why Mexicans and Mexican Americans have such an affinity for those blokes from across the pond. — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026 In the Reliant Stadium visitors’ locker room Sunday afternoon, Moore leaned against a door and pondered what his debut might mean for the 2026 season. — Tim Graham, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026 For a brief second, Rocheleau pondered whether the attackers might target the FAA headquarters in Washington, DC. — Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pondered

Verb

As contemplated, the city would initially sell one acre to the developers for the first phase of the project when the plans receive final approval.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 27 Oct. 2026
The sponsor also assumes the risk that contemplated add-ons will not close.

— Chris Russo, Sportico.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of contemplated

Verb

Much has been debated and discussed about its many metaphors and symbolism, which employed elements of a splintered universe long before the multiverse was hijacked by Hollywood superhero spectacles.

— Jeff Spry, Space.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Although this evidence is preliminary and debated, the findings warrant further measurement.

— Ned Cooper, STAT, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of debated

Verb

Newsom is widely considered to be planning a presidential bid in 2028.

— Andrew Graham October 27, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2026
The first three often are considered the science prizes, and since their start in 1901, scientists in the United States have won 44% of those.

— Mattanjah de Vries, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of considered

Verb

Emer’s research team studied more than 89,000 people in Milwaukee who were tested for lead exposure by age 6.

— Yona Gavino, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026
Since landing on Mars back in 2021, Perseverance has observed, sampled and studied a wide variety of rocks, boulder fields, Martian slopes and more.

— Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of studied

Verb

The search drew sharp condemnation from congressional Democrats, who also questioned the timing.

— Hannah Schoenbaum, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
When Diaconu first entered a business fundraising competition, people questioned whether repair as a business was scalable and durable.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of questioned

Verb

In November 2025, Tesla shareholders weighed a nonbinding proposal for the carmaker to invest in xAI, Musk’s AI startup.

— Heather Occhino, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
But since the scale couldn't produce a printout of the official weight, which is required for breaking a record in Pennsylvania, Taylor had to get the fish weighed somewhere else.

— Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of weighed

Verb

The historic center’s many sights can easily be explored on foot from the property.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Yahoo reported that media entities like Amazon have been explored as possible TV partners by schools considering going independent.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of explored

Browse Nearby Words

ponderable

pondered

pondering

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Style

“Pondered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pondered. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of pondered

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