ponder

verb

pon·​der ˈpän-dər 

pondered; pondering ˈpän-d(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to weigh in the mind : appraise

pondered their chances of success

2

: to think about : reflect on

pondered the events of the day

intransitive verb

: to think or consider especially quietly, soberly, and deeply

ponderer

ˈpän-dər-ər 

noun

Synonyms

• chew over
• cogitate
• consider
• contemplate
• debate
• deliberate
• entertain
• eye
• kick around
• meditate
• mull (over)
• perpend
• pore (over)
• question
• revolve
• ruminate
• study
• think (about or over)
• turn
• weigh
• wrestle (with)

Choose the Right Synonym for ponder

ponder, meditate, muse, ruminate 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

meditate implies a definite focusing of one's thoughts on something so as to understand it deeply.

meditated on the meaning of life

muse suggests a more or less focused daydreaming as in remembrance.

mused upon childhood joys

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

Examples of ponder in a Sentence

He pondered the question before he answered.

The team pondered their chances of success.

We pondered whether we could afford the trip.

Recent Examples on the Web

Nationwide confusion over which Ron Johnson got the job Once Trump announced his pick of Johnson as the incoming U.S. ambassador to Mexico, social media lit up with politicians and citizens alike that pondered which Ron Johnson received the role. —Rey Covarrubias Jr., The Arizona Republic, 13 Dec. 2024

After interviewing for the Atlanta Falcons and the job subsequently going to Raheem Morris, Belichick has dabbled in the media business while pondering his next steps on the sidelines. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024

The case is currently held in abeyance while the appeals court ponders various issues. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024

That took a while to figure it out because, Auld said, there was much to ponder. —Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 6 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French ponderer, from Latin ponderare to weigh, ponder, from ponder-, pondus weight — more at pendant

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

ponder

verb

pon·​der ˈpän-dər 

pondered; pondering -d(ə-)riŋ 

: to consider carefully

ponderer

-dər-ər 

noun