contemplate

verb

con·​tem·​plate ˈkän-təm-ˌplāt How to pronounce contemplate (audio)
-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 noun
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
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.
But the old flivver was ticking along, reminding Drew of happy hours—leaning on opposing fenders under its hood with Lloyd, contemplating the Dart’s latest ailment. Literary Hub, 17 Oct. 2025 Again, no more than one or two managers in every league should be contemplating late-season schedules and playoff matchups. Andy Behrens, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025 Yet while the fast cutting — Pellington and Klein were known to argue whether a shot should go on for two frames or three — would indicate that the series was made for short attention spans, somehow the content was organized in a way that allowed the viewer to truly process and contemplate it. Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 2025 Between songs, the film drifts into dreamlike Parisian vignettes Aguilera contemplates love, motherhood, reinvention, and her career’s artistry. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for contemplate

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of contemplate was circa 1533

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Contemplate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contemplate. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

contemplate

verb
con·​tem·​plate ˈkänt-əm-ˌplāt How to pronounce contemplate (audio)
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 noun

More from Merriam-Webster on contemplate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!