as in contemplation
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as in contemplating
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 pondering
Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 3 Jan. 2026
Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
As new signs of a rift emerge in Western alliances, Putin and his generals are pondering plans for the spring and summer campaign across more than the 1,200-kilometer (about 750-mile) front line.
—ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
The many years spent pondering and preparing for a potential attack on Iran are the reason that the first days of the war were, for the most part, a bravura display of American power.
—Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026
The White House is still pondering what regulatory action to take.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 4 Mar. 2026
Brooks started thinking about happiness about 20 years ago, after a couple of hard career pivots left him pondering what came next.
—Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2026
All these are questions not unlike the one faced by the late Jerry Buss in 1981 when pondering the notion of hiring a kid who never had coached at any level.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Seven years ago, Williams was sitting in his bed in his New York studio apartment, eating pizza out of the box and pondering where to take his career.
—Tara Larson, Footwear News, 13 Feb. 2026
Authorities spent nearly two weeks combing the southern Arizona landscape, sorting through doorbell footage, pondering what could have happened to the mother of three.
—Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
Noun
All 50 years of craft, thought, thematic pondering — everything.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 3 Jan. 2026
Verb
But news is expected soon on the Hall of Fame KU coach, who is pondering his future after having heart problems the past few years.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
As new signs of a rift emerge in Western alliances, Putin and his generals are pondering plans for the spring and summer campaign across more than the 1,200-kilometer (about 750-mile) front line.
—ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
The many years spent pondering and preparing for a potential attack on Iran are the reason that the first days of the war were, for the most part, a bravura display of American power.
—Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026
The White House is still pondering what regulatory action to take.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 4 Mar. 2026
Brooks started thinking about happiness about 20 years ago, after a couple of hard career pivots left him pondering what came next.
—Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2026
All these are questions not unlike the one faced by the late Jerry Buss in 1981 when pondering the notion of hiring a kid who never had coached at any level.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Seven years ago, Williams was sitting in his bed in his New York studio apartment, eating pizza out of the box and pondering where to take his career.
—Tara Larson, Footwear News, 13 Feb. 2026
Authorities spent nearly two weeks combing the southern Arizona landscape, sorting through doorbell footage, pondering what could have happened to the mother of three.
—Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pondering
Noun
-
Both of us have recently moved from denial to contemplation that AI will soon be in a position to replace us.—
J. Xavier Prochaska,
Mercury News,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Tiffany approaches her projects with research and contemplation and then follows through with flawless details.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
For those who have the option, more are contemplating walking, cycling, carpooling or catching the bus or train to get some relief.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Choosing among loud, louder and loudest shirts, then contemplating whether to go with jorts or florts (don’t ask) and selecting the appropriate socks and crocs, Black finally is ready to go until Sarah Sherman shows up to spoil things.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Unkind words and thoughts from your harshest critic (yourself) are all too common, especially for women, and their effects can diminish mood, confidence and self-esteem while positive ones can have the opposite impact.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
26 Mar. 2026
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The plaintiff claimed that platform design features such as infinite scroll and autoplay caused a childhood addiction that resulted in anxiety, body dysmorphia, and suicidal thoughts.—
Lorena O’Neil,
Rolling Stone,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Instead of debating calls for hours, fans get a clear answer almost instantly.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Congress would be debating mandatory water wings for airborne pups.—
Pat Beall,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
For a more immersive experience, consider the water rejuvenation and meditation session, which takes place at Buahan’s own waterfall at the bottom of the valley.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Hicks begins her sound sessions with breath and guided meditation work before diving into the sound journey.—
Britt Julious,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
No mean feat, considering the brand’s first 24 hotels are set in remote, leafy locations that feel worlds away from real life.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Here’s why, plus a look at other states considering the move.—
Kristin Scharkey,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That was the backdrop for the Supreme Court’s consideration of Wong Kim Ark’s status.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The new law lays out several overarching protections for children that might seem obvious, such as the right to live in a safe and healthy environment, and appropriate safety considerations in visitation and placement decisions.—
Shannon Tyler
March 27,
Idaho Statesman,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But researchers are also studying the drug’s effects on broader metabolic health, including blood sugar regulation, cholesterol levels and cardiovascular risk markers.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Learning a language, studying abroad, or simply traveling to experience something entirely unfamiliar to you.—
Kirah Tabourn,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pondering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pondering. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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