CONTEMPLATING Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

contemplating

verb

Definition of contemplating next

present participle of contemplate

as in pondering

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

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

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 contemplating Soaring gas prices would appear to have many Americans contemplating if now might be the time to add an EV, or possibly another, to the family fleet. —

Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 7 Apr. 2026 After staring down 30, experiencing a career lull, and contemplating quitting music altogether, the singer staked her future in the industry on the fate of her fourth record. —

Harry Tafoya, Pitchfork, 2 Apr. 2026 Nicky, who had been dumped by his ex the day before, is also at the airport and contemplating whether or not to board his own flight to California for his brother’s wedding amid his heartbreak. —

Sam Reed, Glamour, 2 Apr. 2026 The finale chronicles the 15th hour of an exhausting and emotional July 4 work shift, where many characters are contemplating their future at the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center. —

Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026 In fact, a survey by global architecture firm Gensler showed nearly half of San Francisco’s young, childless adults were contemplating a move. —

Sydney Lake, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026 Choosing among loud, louder and loudest shirts, then contemplating whether to go with jorts or florts (don’t ask) and selecting the appropriate socks and crocs, Black finally is ready to go until Sarah Sherman shows up to spoil things. —

Greg Evans, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2026 The developers of Retro Rewind are already contemplating what an expansion could include (DVDs, perhaps). —

David Sims, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2026 Scientific inquiry could be pathway to the divine Adam Hincks, a Jesuit priest who teaches at the University of Toronto and serves as an adjunct scholar at the Vatican Observatory, believes that for some, contemplating dark matter and dark energy could elevate their minds to God. —

Deepa Bharath, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemplating

Verb

And maybe one of those records was… The bard of New England dares to get meaningful on this two-part song, which begins by pondering the mysteries of time and ends with a singalong ode to seasonal renewal.

— Brett Milano, Boston Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
Distracted ends with Bruner fretting over money and pondering options.

— Will Hermes, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2026