contemplates

verb

present tense third-person singular of contemplate
1
as in ponders
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 intends
to have in mind as a purpose or goal he waited patiently, contemplating revenge all the while

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 contemplates Given the enormous threat AI poses to millions of jobs, the governor’s framework thoughtfully contemplates how to center Maryland workers in regulation of this technology. — Matt Post, Baltimore Sun, 1 Oct. 2026 Neither yet contemplates an agent that delegates to another agent at four in the morning. — Dr. Aditya Vikram Kashyap, Forbes.com, 22 Sep. 2026 The series contemplates topics like shady lending practices by financial institutions — something that will resonate deeply with today’s economy — and the ethics of placing oneself in a news story. — Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 Unrivaled, the 3×3 women’s professional basketball league, has completed an oversubscribed Series C fundraise at a value of $650 million, as the nearly three-year-old organization contemplates further geographic expansion. — Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 26 Aug. 2026 The pair move in together, as McConaughey contemplates a Texas gubernatorial run. — Shauna Lyon, New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2026 As humanity contemplates the potentially catastrophic effects of climate change, Sulej says the story of the Mastodonsaurus offers some hope. — ABC News, 22 July 2026 This week, Gracie Abrams pens a tearjerker on mother-daughter relationships, Steve Lacy escapes the abyss of a breakup on a colossal double track, and Beabadoobee contemplates risk and reward on a fuzzy new single. — Rolling Stone, 17 July 2026 The agreement contemplates beginning the design phase of the new stations while the arbitration is ongoing. — Joshua Ceballos, Miami Herald, 16 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemplates
  1. ponders
  2. intends
  3. considers
  4. plans
  5. entertains
  6. means
  7. debates
  8. proposes
Verb
  • As is often the case in both real life and the movies, this modern millennial lady ponders this very question all the time.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 13 Sep. 2026
  • Nacua, who expects to play against the 49ers as the NFL ponders a potential suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, returned to practice last week.
    — Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of ponders
Verb
  • Cornell said Yates will report her findings and recommendations to a special committee of its Board of Trustees, which intends to share the results with the university community.
    — Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026
  • There is no indication the charity intends to share its classrooms’ recordings with anybody else, but fears about the potential misuse of surveillance technology are heightened in Gaza after three years of war.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of intends
Verb
  • Is there any point at which Baier considers whether someone like Hemingway should continue to be on air?
    — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 16 Oct. 2026
  • That's because while the IRS generally considers a return filed on the day it is postmarked, most states require mail-in ballots to arrive by Election Day, regardless of when they were mailed or postmarked.
    — Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of considers
Verb
  • Whether Musk plans to build (or buy) another wireless network or pressure the incumbents to strike deals with SpaceX, the telecoms' oligopoly is looking shakier.
    — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Paramount plans to upgrade the theater with state-of-the-art projection systems and in-seat food and drink service, Rick Caruso, whose company owns the Palisades Village shopping center where the Bay Theater is located, said in an interview.
    — Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of plans
Verb
  • Colorado has its own issues on and off the field, but every week, Sanders makes promises of one kind or another to fans or entertains or provides a memorable moment.
    — David Ubben, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Founded in 1961 and housed in a historic church, the theater entertains audiences in its 416-seat auditorium with musicals and plays produced by professionals from around the country.
    — Erika Ebsworth-Goold, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of entertains
Verb
  • International funding, Patil says, means long waits, complicated contracts and co-production treaties, and Indian filmmakers end up chasing the same grants as professionals from wealthier countries.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Russia’s constant attacks on factories, energy supply systems and the railways means that steel supply to the Ukrainian armed forces is also being degraded.
    — Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of means
Verb
  • But on Monday, Broadcom CEO Hock Tan likened many of the investors drawn to the AI boom to gamblers and questioned the economics of AI labs as Wall Street debates whether the AI bubble will burst.
    — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Co-star Tom Blyth will surely hold his own in Michael Arden’s production of a play that debates whether the rule of law in a democracy can fully protect us from a dangerous world.
    — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of debates
Verb
  • However, desperate to enjoy all the benefits of her unconventional and self-serving situation, without shouldering any of the blame, Uta proposes that Morio be the donor for Junna’s child, and that all three of them move in together.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The dining room has 28 seats, a private event space holds 10, and the menu proposes just three Milanese and Lombardian dishes for each of the antipasti, primi, and secondi courses (four for dessert).
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of proposes

Browse Nearby Words

contemplated
contemplates
contemplating
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Cite this Entry

“Contemplates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemplates. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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