Synonyms of meditate

meditate

verb

ˈme-də-ˌtāt 

1

as in to contemplate

to give serious and careful thought to

I've been meditating a career change for months

Synonyms & Similar Words

• contemplate
• ponder
• entertain
• consider
• study
• debate
• explore
• question
• ruminate
• eye
• weigh
• analyze
• cogitate
• review
• think (about or over)
• mull (over)
• wrestle (with)
• chew on
• deliberate
• look at
• pore (over)
• revolve
• perpend
• chew over
• turn
• digest
• kick around
• beat one's brains out (about)
• cudgel one's brains (about)
• reflect (on or upon)
• reminisce
• muse (upon)
• believe
• conclude
• reason
• dwell (on or upon)
• absorb
• speculate (about)
• opine
• brood (about or over)
• conceive
• fret (about or over)
• assimilate
• fixate (on or upon)
• drink (in)
• obsess (about or over)
• second-guess

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignore
• slight
• disregard
• overlook
• dismiss
• reject
• pooh-pooh
• pooh

2

as in to intend

to have in mind as a purpose or goal

had meditated a quick return to work after having the baby, but circumstances changed

Synonyms & Similar Words

• intend
• plan
• contemplate
• go
• hope
• try
• wish
• look
• mean
• aim
• propose
• purpose
• calculate
• design
• aspire
• allow
• attempt
• purport
• consider
• figure on
• dream
• ponder
• strive
• struggle
• accomplish
• debate
• achieve
• endeavor
• perform
• mull (over)
• execute
• scheme
• effect
• plot

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of meditate are muse, ponder, and ruminate. While all these words mean "to consider or examine attentively or deliberately," meditate implies a definite focusing of one's thoughts on something so as to understand it deeply.

meditated on the meaning of life

When can muse be used instead of meditate?

The meanings of muse and meditate largely overlap; however, muse suggests a more or less focused daydreaming as in remembrance.

mused upon childhood joys

Where would ponder be a reasonable alternative to meditate?

The words ponder and meditate can be used in similar contexts, but ponder implies a careful weighing of a problem or, often, prolonged inconclusive thinking about a matter.

pondered the course of action

When is ruminate a more appropriate choice than meditate?

In some situations, the words ruminate and meditate are roughly equivalent. However, 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

Recent Examples of meditate

Multiple studies have found that people who meditate regularly for at least two months become more inherently motivated to look after their health, which is a hallmark of those who adhere to a balanced diet and exercise regularly. —Masha Remskar, The Conversation, 23 Sep. 2025

Advertisement For anyone who has ever meditated for any length of time, this is self-evident. —Paul Greenberg, Time, 20 Sep. 2025

The only way out is through, so take a deep breath and meditate to get your groove back. —Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 18 Sep. 2025

By focusing on a simple physical task like folding, the inner mind is freed to meditate subconsciously. —Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 17 Sep. 2025