1
as in to ponder
to give serious and careful thought to
she contemplated the problem for several hours before reaching a decision
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to intend
to have in mind as a purpose or goal
he waited patiently, contemplating revenge all the while
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contemplate
Accompanied by tender, understated guitar, Gill contemplates the sacrifices and rewards that come with a life devoted to music.
—
Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 20 Oct. 2025
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
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
Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 20 Oct. 2025
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemplate
Verb
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Just ask the folks who’ve made the college basketball committee which is currently pondering expanding its beautiful bracket to 76 teams.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
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As with many of A24's horror movies, we're left to ponder whether anything supernatural happens as Maud's quest reaches its apotheosis, proving that fanatical belief is enough to inspire great terrors.—
Dennis Perkins,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That’s a significant contrast to other parts of the Forbidden City, marked by wide open spaces intended to represent the grandeur of imperial power and territory.—
Fred He,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
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The country is now poised to start up a new EV incentive program that goes into effect in January 2026, and is intended to help lower- and middle-income buyers adopt zero tailpipe emission vehicles.—
Lora Kolodny,
CNBC,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Now, Seven Point is strongly considering Houlihan Lokey to provide the mark-to-market valuation analysis of its portfolio holdings to deliver to investors.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
1 Nov. 2025
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The 24 entry-level terrace rooms start at 645 square feet, with spacious balconies overlooking the garden; the 14 Upper Terrace rooms, one floor up, are the same size, but considered ocean-facing, given the elevated viewpoint.—
Jacqui Gifford,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Every two weeks, three new GCCs are set up in India, and 60% of existing centers plan to expand.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
6 Nov. 2025
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Taxing the 1% To fund many of his proposals, Mamdani plans to raise taxes on corporations and wealthy New Yorkers.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Elsewhere, the main living area, featuring one of over four fireplaces throughout the hilltop retreat, provides the perfect setting for entertaining.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
5 Nov. 2025
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Since then, fans from around the country have followed the Cowboy fans’ lead to entertain themselves in the waning stages of blowouts.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Some, such as Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nigeria's northwestern Sokoto province, hope the rhetoric will prompt the Nigerian government to take more action to address the problem.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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Social Security checks under different measures Yet the data suggests that switching to a different COLA measure might not result in the substantial boost to benefits that retirees and other beneficiaries hope to see.—
Lorie Konish,
CNBC,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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If the White House must be remade, let there be a plan; let it be debated; let the financing be transparent and free of kickbacks and corruption.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
25 Oct. 2025
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The Cleveland Browns drafted two rookie quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL draft, a move that was highly debated at the time and a storyline that hasn't gone away since.—
Rowan Fisher-Shotton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Working from top to bottom means debris from the top will land on a dirty floor instead of a clean one.—
Kelsey Mulvey,
Southern Living,
31 Oct. 2025
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Doing so would mean advancing the clocks forward an hour for the whole year, so that the sun would appear to rise and set an hour later in both the summer and in the winter.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contemplate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemplate. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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