Synonym Chooser

How is the word cogitate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of cogitate are deliberate, reason, reflect, speculate, and think. While all these words mean "to use one's powers of conception, judgment, or inference," cogitate implies deep or intent thinking.

cogitated on the mysteries of nature

When is it sensible to use deliberate instead of cogitate?

The words deliberate and cogitate can be used in similar contexts, but deliberate suggests slow or careful reasoning before forming an opinion or reaching a conclusion or decision.

the jury deliberated for five hours

When might reason be a better fit than cogitate?

Although the words reason and cogitate have much in common, reason stresses consecutive logical thinking.

able to reason brilliantly in debate

When is reflect a more appropriate choice than cogitate?

In some situations, the words reflect and cogitate are roughly equivalent. However, reflect suggests unhurried consideration of something recalled to the mind.

reflecting on fifty years of married life

When can speculate be used instead of cogitate?

While in some cases nearly identical to cogitate, speculate implies reasoning about things theoretical or problematic.

speculated on the fate of the lost explorers

In what contexts can think take the place of cogitate?

The words think and cogitate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, think is general and may apply to any mental activity, but used alone often suggests attainment of clear ideas or conclusions.

teaches students how to think

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 cogitate Yet the evidence for cogitating pond scum grows daily. Rowan Jacobsen, Scientific American, 1 Feb. 2024 With the eruptions and disruptions of digital mass culture as its Ferrari-level engine, often represented by the roaring drama of sport, Pfeiffer’s art cogitates on power as an ongoing campaign waged between the individual and the crowd. Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 15 Nov. 2023 While Wall Street and Private Equity leaders have the time to leisurely cogitate the long view, business leaders (CEO’s, CMO’s, etc) have to make commitments today with real dollars based on their best guesses about the state of the consumer next fall and spring. Greg Petro, Forbes, 22 Apr. 2022 Dyson presents mathematical arguments that these beings can, through shrewd conservation of energy, maintain the resources needed to survive, cogitate and communicate in an eternally expanding cosmos. John Horgan, Scientific American, 16 June 2021 As his characters cogitate and self-medicate, scheme and philosophize, his subject is less the content of their thoughts than the mind contemplating itself. Washington Post, 11 June 2021 Jermaine uncovers America's obsession with capitalism and its cogitating impact on his everyday decision making, as well as those around him. Michael Saponara, Billboard, 20 Apr. 2018 Penrose believes that Hawking's condition has forced him to work more creatively, to take imaginative leaps where someone with a less uncertain future might want to cogitate a little longer. Jerry Adler, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2018 But Long, one of the revelers, (Ensemble regular James Rankin, always terrific) has been cogitating, too -- about their lot in life. Andrea Simakis, cleveland.com, 9 Dec. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cogitate
Verb
  • Yet Trump, whose administration had entered into talks with Iran aimed at reaching an agreement on the country's nuclear program, has backed the Israeli offensive and has openly contemplated joining the Israeli campaign through strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
    Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 June 2025
  • Then again, living in New York City, there aren't many opportunities to contemplate camel textures.
    Matt Dutile, Travel + Leisure, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • The modern 55 and older homebuyer isn’t looking to sit all day on a recliner pondering our end of life options.
    Jamie Gold, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The two countries have been engaged in aerial strikes and Trump had been pondering U.S. involvement for the past week.
    Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • There’s no pressure to perform, no need to entertain or constantly talk.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • The band’s repertoire will include a variety of music to entertain audiences of all ages.
    Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Many consider the cases to be politically motivated, although Erdogan’s government contends that the courts are impartial and free of political involvement.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2025
  • Some consider Olean to be in the upper most region of Appalachia, a Rustbelt stereotype that— since 1974, the year of the shooting, has seen its population dwindle from 18,600 to 14,000.
    Sally Ventura June 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • The Senate continues to debate the bill before sending it back to the House.
    Jay O'Brien, ABC News, 30 June 2025
  • What also was achieved overnight from late Saturday evening until Sunday afternoon was the end of the road for Thom Tillis, the North Carolina Republican who voted against debating the bill and brought on the wrath of Trump promising a GOP primary next year.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Leadership roles and extracurricular activities have prepared Poway High School Salutatorian Michael Markoff to tackle the challenges of studying medicine at UCLA this fall.
    Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2025
  • That’s what researchers Kayla Clark from Rice University and Stephanie Leal from University of California, Los Angeles, have now studied.
    Eva Amsen, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • But an analysis of new data from Hubble and the European Space Agency’s Gaia Space Telescope has caused researchers to question that time frame.
    Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 21 June 2025
  • Skeptics will point to his physical issues and question his fit outside the Warriors’ unique system.
    John Hollinger, New York Times, 21 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Cogitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cogitate. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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