ponder

verb

pon·​der ˈpän-dər 

pondered; pondering ˈpän-d(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to think about : reflect on

pondered the events of the day

Few other programs in recent years have prompted viewers to laugh, cry, and ponder big topics and cultural norms …

—Rivea Ruff

[Psychologist Jonathan] Smallwood learned that unhappy minds tend to wander in the past, while happy minds often ponder the future.

—Tim Vernimmen

2

: to weigh in the mind : evaluate, appraise

The team pondered their chances of success.

intransitive verb

: to think or consider especially quietly, soberly, and deeply

paused to ponder on the situation

We pondered over/about what to do.

ponderer

ˈpän-dər-ər 

noun

Synonyms of ponder

• contemplate
• consider
• entertain
• debate
• study
• question

Choose the Right Synonym for ponder

ponder, meditate, muse, ruminate 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

meditate implies a definite focusing of one's thoughts on something so as to understand it deeply.

meditated on the meaning of life

muse suggests a more or less focused daydreaming as in remembrance.

mused upon childhood joys

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 of ponder in a Sentence

He pondered the question before he answered.

The team pondered their chances of success.

We pondered whether we could afford the trip.

Recent Examples on the Web

Rather than avoiding the topic, ponder the merits of opening up about any financial issues. —Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 25 Feb. 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

And because the Section 122 tariffs are set to expire in 150 days unless extended by Congress, American companies are left to ponder the direction of tariffs and where rates might eventually settle. —Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French ponderer, from Latin ponderare to weigh, ponder, from ponder-, pondus weight — more at pendant

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Rhymes for ponder

• condor
• fonder
• launder
• mandir
• maunder
• squander
• wander
• yonder
• responder
• transponder

Kids Definition

ponder

verb

pon·​der ˈpän-dər 

pondered; pondering -d(ə-)riŋ 

: to consider carefully

ponderer

-dər-ər 

noun