1
as in pondering
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 planning
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 contemplating
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
Before Microsoft changed its plans, Martin was contemplating a motion to delay the Village Board rezoning vote at least six months so village officials could gather more information.
—Ricardo Torres, jsonline.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Now, Brown is losing followers, other creators are weighing in, and another Hannah Brown is contemplating ways to distance herself from the whole thing.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2025
In a Fox Business interview, Carr mentioned that the FTC is contemplating broadening its click-to-cancel rulemaking, asserting his disagreement with the previous administration’s approach to establishing the rule.
—Jordan Green, Nashville Tennessean, 26 Sep. 2025
Shah is at a crossroads when contemplating his own future.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Sep. 2025
Democrats also are contemplating hosting a midterm convention, as the party looks to boost turnout and raise more money.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
Current investors will need to exercise patience and closely monitor execution, while those contemplating a purchase should carefully assess the risks and avoid chasing short-term momentum.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
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
Before Microsoft changed its plans, Martin was contemplating a motion to delay the Village Board rezoning vote at least six months so village officials could gather more information.
—Ricardo Torres, jsonline.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Now, Brown is losing followers, other creators are weighing in, and another Hannah Brown is contemplating ways to distance herself from the whole thing.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2025
In a Fox Business interview, Carr mentioned that the FTC is contemplating broadening its click-to-cancel rulemaking, asserting his disagreement with the previous administration’s approach to establishing the rule.
—Jordan Green, Nashville Tennessean, 26 Sep. 2025
Shah is at a crossroads when contemplating his own future.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Sep. 2025
Democrats also are contemplating hosting a midterm convention, as the party looks to boost turnout and raise more money.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
Current investors will need to exercise patience and closely monitor execution, while those contemplating a purchase should carefully assess the risks and avoid chasing short-term momentum.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemplating
Verb
-
The Forest owner has been pondering his options That is not unusual — the Greek shipping magnate always likes to have a plan B in place.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
That’s 16 days of public silence and private plotting — 16 days of preparing for a case management conference and pondering motions and strategizing for the discovery process and delving into every facet of this year-long case that has no end in sight.—
Jon Wilner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Before a lunar landing mission is attempted, NASA is planning to launch four astronauts on its Artemis II mission in 2026 on a 10-day mission circling the moon.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Until a few months ago, rumors suggested that Samsung was planning to replace the Plus variant in the S26 lineup with the Edge.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In choosing between the two countries, NASA recommends considering the weather, since overcast skies can all but wreck an eclipse experience.—
Maya Silver,
Outside,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Selling each stone individually might be the easiest way for the thieves to sell the jewels, however, considering that law enforcement is on high alert.—
KC Baker,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
His father took them to Las Vegas, intending not just to break the cycle of poverty but for the family to assimilate.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Duane swung the rifle around to his right hand, fully intending to fire a warning shot.—
Marguerite Reiss,
Outdoor Life,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Qerim won a lot of respect, including from ESPN staffers, with her knack for calmly reining in Smith and the voluble personalities debating him.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Kirk, who would have turned 32 on Tuesday, was assassinated at Utah Valley University while debating college students.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
When looking for reasons the Nuggets will win a championship, Braun belongs high on the checklist.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
17 Oct. 2025
-
The reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles are 4-2 and are looking to become the first back-to-back NFC East champs in two decades, but the Commanders are 3-3, and the New York Giants moved to a surprising 2-4 after taking down the Eagles last week.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Saft put himself through Northeastern University, participating in the school’s co-op program, which allows students to alternate between studying on campus and working in a field of interest.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Meanwhile, researchers at Johns Hopkins University are studying mini-brains to model diseases like Alzheimer’s and autism.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Climate activists are now questioning why gas utilities are making this investment.—
NPR,
NPR,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Transgender, nonbinary, and gender-questioning youth and survey participants aged 13 to 17 had the poorest mental health and highest risk for suicide, the survey said.—
Ken Alltucker,
USA Today,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contemplating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemplating. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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