1
as in pondering
to give serious and careful thought to
she contemplated the problem for several hours before reaching a decision
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in planning
to have in mind as a purpose or goal
he waited patiently, contemplating revenge all the while
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 contemplating
Meanwhile, 61% of medical students are contemplating careers outside clinical practice, viewing medical school as a stepping stone to other fields in healthcare.
—
Richard Menger Md Mpa, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
Over five million Syrians have been displaced abroad over the last 13 years, and many of them are now contemplating a return home.
—Karam Shaar, Foreign Affairs, 20 Dec. 2024
Hours after the Syrian rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) seized Damascus and sent Bashar al-Assad packing to Russia, Western politicians and pundits began contemplating the possibility of a free, moderate, inclusive, and (perhaps even) democratic Syria.
—Nick Danby, National Review, 20 Dec. 2024
Scott’s giving has important guidance not only for billionaires who want to follow her example and ramp up their giving, but also for everyday donors – and investors — who may be contemplating year-end decisions.
—David Bowermaster, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Heading west, Nevada is contemplating offering a credit not for production but for infrastructure.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 19 Dec. 2024
Listen to this article In the twilight of his presidency, Joe Biden is contemplating a decision that is without precedent.
—Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 14 Dec. 2024
Advertisement Ford has confirmed Ontario is contemplating restricting electricity exports to the three states and said that would make electricity unaffordable for Americans.
—Rob Gillies, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024
By contemplating the ethical dimensions of AI, we are reminded of the importance of addressing the challenges people worldwide face today.
—Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
Richard Menger Md Mpa, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
Over five million Syrians have been displaced abroad over the last 13 years, and many of them are now contemplating a return home.
—Karam Shaar, Foreign Affairs, 20 Dec. 2024
Hours after the Syrian rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) seized Damascus and sent Bashar al-Assad packing to Russia, Western politicians and pundits began contemplating the possibility of a free, moderate, inclusive, and (perhaps even) democratic Syria.
—Nick Danby, National Review, 20 Dec. 2024
Scott’s giving has important guidance not only for billionaires who want to follow her example and ramp up their giving, but also for everyday donors – and investors — who may be contemplating year-end decisions.
—David Bowermaster, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Heading west, Nevada is contemplating offering a credit not for production but for infrastructure.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 19 Dec. 2024
Listen to this article In the twilight of his presidency, Joe Biden is contemplating a decision that is without precedent.
—Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 14 Dec. 2024
Advertisement Ford has confirmed Ontario is contemplating restricting electricity exports to the three states and said that would make electricity unaffordable for Americans.
—Rob Gillies, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024
By contemplating the ethical dimensions of AI, we are reminded of the importance of addressing the challenges people worldwide face today.
—Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemplating
Verb
-
School Board members are now pondering the idea of asking voters for another bond in the future.—
Scott Travis,
Sun Sentinel,
29 Dec. 2024
-
There may be some benefit from these policies, but business leaders pondering their 2025 plans will want to focus on their own labor needs.—
Bill Conerly,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Watch out for lottery scams People planning to play the lottery should watch out for lottery scams.—
Aliza Chasan,
CBS News,
24 Dec. 2024
-
Netflix is planning on giving plenty of gifts to its viewers on Christmas Day – as long as everything goes to plan.—
Kaycee Sloan,
The Enquirer,
24 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Among its selections this spring is this 2001 satire that, considering climate change and our incoming administration, will probably still hit pretty hard.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
8 Jan. 2025
-
The rule could have prevented the government from considering important health research in setting pollution limits.—
Eric Nost,
The Conversation,
8 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Networking is specifically about connecting with people in the same line of work—or inside and outside your industry—intending to build lasting relationships.—
Sanjay Sehgal,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
-
Last summer, Taiwanese officials from the National Development Council announced the visa intending to attract and retain foreign digital professionals to boost Taiwan's tourism and economy, according to the local media outlet Taipei Times.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA TODAY,
6 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
In it, the singer-songwriter saunters in a polka-dot dress before the screen pans to a glamorous-looking Carey, who delivers a whistle note.—
Ilana Kaplan,
People.com,
24 Dec. 2024
-
Here’s what to know A CT city is looking into use of red light, speed cameras.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
24 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Despite more positive reports in previous months, concerns remain about the economic outlook, leaving policymakers and businesses questioning whether the downturn in confidence will translate to slower growth in 2024.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
24 Dec. 2024
-
Posts may leave us questioning our qualifications, competence, and intelligence.—
Dr. Angélica S. Gutiérrez,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Kendra suggests her Chocolate Mouse for a Party recipe that is primed for entertaining a large crowd and guarantees everyone will get a scoop.—
Bon Appétit,
Bon Appétit,
11 Dec. 2024
-
By the mid-1990s, public health leaders were entertaining the possibility that the STI could be eliminated.—
Benjamin Ryan,
NBC News,
12 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Truly pocket sized and weighing just 165g, FiiO says this is the ideal travel companion thanks to 12 hours of battery life and a two-hour fast-charge mode.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes,
5 Jan. 2025
-
This 2,000-tonne contraption would be lowered on a string of pipe weighing 2,000 tonnes, and grapple the wreck weighing 4,000 tonnes.—
David Szondy,
New Atlas,
4 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contemplating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemplating. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share