contemplate

verb

con·​tem·​plate ˈkän-təm-ˌplāt 

-ˌtem-

contemplated; contemplating

transitive verb

1

: to view or consider with continued attention : meditate on

contemplate the vastness of the universe

contemplated the meaning of the poem

2

: to view as likely or probable or as an end or intention

contemplate marriage

contemplated a move to Alaska

intransitive verb

: ponder, meditate

wanted time to just sit and contemplate

contemplator

ˈkän-təm-ˌplā-tər 

-ˌtem

noun

Synonyms of contemplate

• ponder
• consider
• entertain
• debate
• study
• question

Choose the Right Synonym for contemplate

consider, study, contemplate, weigh mean to think about in order to arrive at a judgment or decision.

consider may suggest giving thought to in order to reach a suitable conclusion, opinion, or decision.

refused even to consider my proposal

study implies sustained purposeful concentration and attention to details and minutiae.

study the plan closely

contemplate stresses focusing one's thoughts on something but does not imply coming to a conclusion or decision.

contemplate the consequences of refusing

weigh implies attempting to reach the truth or arrive at a decision by balancing conflicting claims or evidence.

weigh the pros and cons of the case

Examples of contemplate in a Sentence

He contemplated the meaning of the poem for a long time.

I'd like some time to just sit and contemplate.

She stood and quietly contemplated the scene that lay before her.

Recent Examples on the Web

Setting the table Regional leaders contemplated that very possibility before the West Sacramento minor league park was ever built. —Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 29 May 2026

Senate Republicans briefly contemplated a measure that would have provided a billion dollars to bolster ballroom security, but that provision has since been dropped from a larger GOP bill. —Arden Farhi, CBS News, 28 May 2026

To see why, contemplate natural gas. —John Tamny, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026

The Cruz-Cantwell bill contemplates limiting college sports eligibility to five years and excluding former pros, including those who played abroad. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 27 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin contemplātus, past participle of contemplāre, contemplārī "to look at fixedly, observe, notice, ponder," from con- con- + -templāre, -templārī, verbal derivative of templum "space of sky or land delimited orally by an augur, sacred precinct, building consecrated to a deity" — more at temple entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1533, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for contemplate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

Kids Definition

contemplate

verb

con·​tem·​plate ˈkänt-əm-ˌplāt 

ˈkän-ˌtem-

contemplated; contemplating

1

: to view or consider with careful and thoughtful attention

2

: to have in mind : plan on

contemplating a trip

contemplator

-ˌplāt-ər 

noun