as in contemplates
to give serious and careful thought to
I'm pondering whether or not I should join another committee
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 ponders
As coach John Hynes ponders his Game 1 starter, the recent numbers will show that Wallstedt has allowed a total of four goals in his final two regular-season starts, while veteran Filip Gustavsson has been touched for 10 in the same span.
—
Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 15 Apr. 2026
While Heinrich ponders the misfiring neurons in the brain of a mass shooter, Jack’s pursuit of Mink—a character whose skin color and ambiguous ethnicity Jack remarks on repeatedly—leads him directly into the urban teeth of the War on Drugs.
—Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
Who ever ponders the conveniences of that 20th century innovation, the airplane, that makes 21st century hustle possible?
—Bill Barrow, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026
Who ever ponders the conveniences of that 20th-century innovation, the airplane, that makes 21st-century hustle possible?
—CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
That novel ponders the problem of a great artist, or someone we’re invited to believe is a great artist, tangled in the moral compromises of making art under the conditions of the Third Reich.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
The new season of The Comeback arrives in 2026, perhaps the most perilous time Hollywood has ever faced as the town anxiously ponders how AI might shape, or decimate, the industry in the coming years.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 18 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, Derek’s mother-in-law visits, and Paul ponders his legacy.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Mar. 2026
Expect a meditative film that ponders big issues with a poet-like touch.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2026
Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 15 Apr. 2026
While Heinrich ponders the misfiring neurons in the brain of a mass shooter, Jack’s pursuit of Mink—a character whose skin color and ambiguous ethnicity Jack remarks on repeatedly—leads him directly into the urban teeth of the War on Drugs.
—Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
Who ever ponders the conveniences of that 20th century innovation, the airplane, that makes 21st century hustle possible?
—Bill Barrow, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026
Who ever ponders the conveniences of that 20th-century innovation, the airplane, that makes 21st-century hustle possible?
—CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
That novel ponders the problem of a great artist, or someone we’re invited to believe is a great artist, tangled in the moral compromises of making art under the conditions of the Third Reich.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
The new season of The Comeback arrives in 2026, perhaps the most perilous time Hollywood has ever faced as the town anxiously ponders how AI might shape, or decimate, the industry in the coming years.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 18 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, Derek’s mother-in-law visits, and Paul ponders his legacy.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Mar. 2026
Expect a meditative film that ponders big issues with a poet-like touch.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ponders
Verb
-
The bill also contemplates restrictions on coaches leaving their teams before the end of the season.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
27 May 2026
-
Inspired by their connection, Étienne contemplates exchanging his lonely existence for one filled with romance, but with a demanding route to cover, starring in a great love story may not be in the cards for the hard-working road warrior.—
Elaina Patton,
IndieWire,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Rehmeier, who’s already shot an unannounced third film with Gallner, considers his performance in the nearly unanimously praised Caroline to be reminiscent of Paul Newman or Steve McQueen.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2026
-
Ed Simon considers Allen Ginsberg on his 100th birthday.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
The Green Griller likely has an herb garden blooming in his yard and entertains in a rugged yet stylish manner with a variety of equipment that imparts a clean, outdoorsy flavor without leaving behind ash.—
Catharine Kaufman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
-
But, of course, nobody entertains for a moment the thought that the fund could conceivably reward an actual victim of weaponization.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
As the podcast industry debates the definition of a podcast and wades through unclear ad measurement tools, a secret industrywide taskforce has been meeting to combat the problem.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
28 May 2026
-
Finally, leaders should pay attention to who speaks less when one person debates more.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ponders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ponders. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
