PONDER Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'ponder' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of ponder are meditate , muse , and ruminate . While all these words 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

Q: In what contexts can 'meditate' take the place of 'ponder'?

While the synonyms meditate and ponder are close in meaning, meditate implies a definite focusing of one's thoughts on something so as to understand it deeply. // meditated on the meaning of life

Q: When would 'muse' be a good substitute for 'ponder'?

The synonyms muse and ponder are sometimes interchangeable, but muse suggests a more or less focused daydreaming as in remembrance. // mused upon childhood joys

Q: When is it sensible to use 'ruminate' instead of 'ponder'?

The words ruminate and ponder are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

ponder

verb

ˈpän-dər

Definition of ponder next

as in to contemplate

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Some common synonyms of ponder are meditate, muse, and ruminate. While all these words 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

In what contexts can meditate take the place of ponder?

While the synonyms meditate and ponder are close in meaning, meditate implies a definite focusing of one's thoughts on something so as to understand it deeply.

meditated on the meaning of life

When would muse be a good substitute for ponder?

The synonyms muse and ponder are sometimes interchangeable, but muse suggests a more or less focused daydreaming as in remembrance.

mused upon childhood joys

When is it sensible to use ruminate instead of ponder?

The words ruminate and ponder are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 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 ponder The ongoing media layoffs have left more TV executives out of a job and pondering a transition to producing. —

Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 17 Dec. 2024 It's been too strange of a week to ponder things like slowing down Detroit's run game or improving the Titans' downfield attack. —

Nick Suss, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024 Amid Musk's actions this week, Democrats and some Republicans are pondering whether Musk, not Trump, is the real leader of the Republican Party. —

Gord Magill, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024 The roads dispute issue on the Lac du Flambeau Reservation in northern Wisconsin was still in the news this year as local and state officials pondered the possibility of returning some state land to the tribe in exchange for non-tribal residents using the roads in question. —

Frank Vaisvilas, Journal Sentinel, 17 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ponder

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ponder

Verb

Four days after the crash, the agencies were already contemplating misdemeanor charges, according to a text conversation between Fernandez Rundle and FWC Lt. Col. Alfredo Escanio, the deputy director of the south region.

Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2025
Cooper, however, barely contemplated leaving him at home and that, perhaps more than anything, summed up the bond between manager and player.

Daniel Taylor, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025