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
Relevance
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
Such a broad imposition of tariffs would have been a fiercer move than any Joe Biden contemplated.
—
Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
The non-League club’s staff and players have been deeply affected by the tragedy and are unable to contemplate playing football at the moment.
—Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Since the early 2000s, state highway officials have contemplated creating the north-south corridor via Idaho 16, and in 2005, ITD first studied improvements to the roughly 14-mile northern segment ending in Emmett.
—Idaho Statesman, 29 Sep. 2025
But in the quantum world, matter takes on other forms – superconductors, magnets, topological insulators and, potentially, a slew of other states that non-quantum scientists haven’t even contemplated.
—Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contemplate
Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
The non-League club’s staff and players have been deeply affected by the tragedy and are unable to contemplate playing football at the moment.
—Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Since the early 2000s, state highway officials have contemplated creating the north-south corridor via Idaho 16, and in 2005, ITD first studied improvements to the roughly 14-mile northern segment ending in Emmett.
—Idaho Statesman, 29 Sep. 2025
But in the quantum world, matter takes on other forms – superconductors, magnets, topological insulators and, potentially, a slew of other states that non-quantum scientists haven’t even contemplated.
—Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contemplate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemplate
Verb
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Instead, the Mets are back to square one, pondering a new kind of disappointment.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
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Over a mashup of fiddles and guitars, Tod and Jennings blend their rough-hewn voices on a song about consequences for older vices and choices, pondering when the consequences of those actions outweigh the vices themselves.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The proposal of a drone wall, which is particularly supported by Baltic and Eastern European states, is intended as both a deterrence and defensive barrier, as well as a way to pool resources to bolster Europe’s collective defense.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
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The outcome will help define the limits of executive discretion over funds Congress intended to be risk-based and politically neutral, with broad implications for federal-state relations and public safety.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Front Office Sports reported Friday that Stars ownership is considering a site in Plano, Texas, approximately 20 miles from Dallas.—
Rob Rossi,
New York Times,
4 Oct. 2025
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In traditional Chinese medicine, this spice is considered to have antiseptic and digestive benefits.—
Susan Selasky,
Freep.com,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In 2025, there's a lot more open space and outdoor activities than what would have been planned before the pandemic.—
Alysa Guffey,
IndyStar,
2 Oct. 2025
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Griffith decided to proceed to trial as planned.—
Quinlan Bentley,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The historic Belcourt Theatre will entertain all the Music City cinephiles.—
Craig Shoup,
Nashville Tennessean,
1 Oct. 2025
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All of these films have been heavily influenced by 20th century pulp fiction writers, but for his latest movie, Black goes directly to the source, adapting one of the genre’s key figures for an action-comedy as offbeat, idiosyncratic, and entertaining as any Black has made.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Republicans hope that more Democratic senators will break ranks with their leadership and vote to reopen the government as pressure mounts from voters.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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Rays fans hope habitual cost-cutting will end with new ownership and an influx of capital.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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On Sept 5, 2024, a year before his death, Charlie Kirk was debating at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.—
Meagan Jordan,
Rolling Stone,
3 Oct. 2025
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The effect is to infuse the story with an undeniable and knowing nostalgia; how quaint, at Alma’s party, to find everyone debating matters of representational consequence.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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If Ohtani is to be treated as a normal starter, however, could that mean changes in how the Dodgers deploy him?—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
4 Oct. 2025
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Fall is here, which means leaves are falling.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contemplate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemplate. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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