as in to contemplate
to give serious and careful thought to
I'm pondering whether or not I should join another committee
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Recent Examples of ponder
Still, no one is ever confirmed as being in the tomb, and Debbie even ponders whether or not Danny is really dead.
—
Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Oct. 2025
This includes watching the sketches Stiller & Meara performed on countless talk shows, critiquing their respective styles and pondering how much or little from their seemingly candid appearances and interviews was meant to be taken as truth and not performance.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2025
Many pondered what McDavid, many who believe is the NHL’s best player, would do.
—Greg Liodice, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
While fans and pundits stroke their chins and ponder Arsenal’s attacking alchemy, their defensive record is perhaps taken for granted.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ponder
Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Oct. 2025
This includes watching the sketches Stiller & Meara performed on countless talk shows, critiquing their respective styles and pondering how much or little from their seemingly candid appearances and interviews was meant to be taken as truth and not performance.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2025
Many pondered what McDavid, many who believe is the NHL’s best player, would do.
—Greg Liodice, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
While fans and pundits stroke their chins and ponder Arsenal’s attacking alchemy, their defensive record is perhaps taken for granted.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ponder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ponder
Verb
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Judge Stanley Blumenfeld agreed to extend the trial date, originally contemplated for next August, to October 2026.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
9 Oct. 2025
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Before Microsoft changed its plans, Martin was contemplating a motion to delay the Village Board rezoning vote at least six months so village officials could gather more information.—
Ricardo Torres,
jsonline.com,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Bendicksen, the center’s director of wildlife rehabilitation, decided to attempt something few would consider, a wing transplant.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Oct. 2025
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Even though there is risk that would come with the move, the Saints should consider it if the option presents itself.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The club thought Beane was righteous and entertaining enough to feature his rant — that the Bills even had to bleep — at the very beginning of their behind-the-scenes draft special.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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This attracted many music students, one of them Costa Rican Mario Castellón, who formed a group with two Colombians, a Peruvian and a Chilean to entertain at a wedding.—
Karla Gachet,
NPR,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Geologists debate boundaries of the ring of fire While geologists widely agree upon most regions within the Pacific Ring of Fire, several areas remain subject to debate.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
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With the nation's 250th anniversary approaching, many teachers, parents and politicians are debating the best ways for students to learn about American history.—
Cory Turner,
NPR,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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It was originally intended to protect electricity ratepayers from having to shoulder the costs of data centers in their communities, but now simply authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to study whether the cost-shift is happening.—
Kate Wolffe,
Sacbee.com,
12 Oct. 2025
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Researchers behind the latest science studied 90 participants with major depressive disorder and found lower LDAEP measures (which means higher serotonin levels) predicted orgasmic dysfunction from eight weeks of treatment with escitalopram with 87% accuracy.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
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After the protests over the Dakota Access Pipeline in 2016 and the racial injustice protests in 2020, more people and institutions questioned the narrative of Columbus as only an intrepid sailor and explorer, arguing for a more complete understanding of his historical impact.—
Terry Tang,
Twin Cities,
13 Oct. 2025
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Jones and King both appeal to Trump supporters who question the security of elections.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ponder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ponder. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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