ponder

verb

pon·​der ˈpän-dər 

pondered; pondering ˈpän-d(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to weigh in the mind : appraise

pondered their chances of success

2

: to think about : reflect on

pondered the events of the day

intransitive verb

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

ponderer

ˈpän-dər-ər 

noun

Synonyms

• 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

Entering his first full offseason, Seidler may want to ponder a comment made a few years ago by Peter Seidler, his late brother. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Oct. 2025

In the book, Keaton reflected on modern standards of beauty, pondering the societal obsession with how things look. —Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2025

Within the pages of the allegorical book, books bring soulmates together, and this intriguing read asks readers to ponder the nature of influence and accountability. —Lynnette Nicholas, Essence, 9 Oct. 2025

Wyn Baptiste An acclaimed photographer of street protests ponders the effectiveness of his work, even as his images provoke palpable international reactions. —Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2025

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 1

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