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
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Recent Examples of contemplating
Anyone contemplating suicide or struggling with their mental health should call 9-8-8, the state’s crisis center consortium.
—
David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2026
As the post-war period quickly gave way to the Cold War, every major power began contemplating what the next evolution in the tank would be.
—Matthew S Williams, Interesting Engineering, 20 May 2026
When her mother visited Cuba, Ferrer was in high school and contemplating college.
—Geraldo L. Cadava, The Atlantic, 19 May 2026
Aren Elliott Anders Lendager is contemplating the practicalities of a new 20-story skyscraper in Aarhus, Denmark.
—Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
The ballot measure may prove to be a referendum of how much the council is in step with Lee at a time when Oakland’s leaders are contemplating how the city’s divisions of power could be reshaped.
—Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 15 May 2026
Coleman made just three appearances for Everton this term and will take a break this summer before contemplating his next move.
—Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 15 May 2026
That begins with contemplating a series of critical questions (and answers) this week.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 14 May 2026
And after spending time contemplating addressing her aging skin, the time was right.
—Hedy Phillips, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2026
As the post-war period quickly gave way to the Cold War, every major power began contemplating what the next evolution in the tank would be.
—Matthew S Williams, Interesting Engineering, 20 May 2026
When her mother visited Cuba, Ferrer was in high school and contemplating college.
—Geraldo L. Cadava, The Atlantic, 19 May 2026
Aren Elliott Anders Lendager is contemplating the practicalities of a new 20-story skyscraper in Aarhus, Denmark.
—Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
The ballot measure may prove to be a referendum of how much the council is in step with Lee at a time when Oakland’s leaders are contemplating how the city’s divisions of power could be reshaped.
—Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 15 May 2026
Coleman made just three appearances for Everton this term and will take a break this summer before contemplating his next move.
—Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 15 May 2026
That begins with contemplating a series of critical questions (and answers) this week.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 14 May 2026
And after spending time contemplating addressing her aging skin, the time was right.
—Hedy Phillips, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemplating
Verb
-
EBay’s board is now pondering GameStop’s offer.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
9 May 2026
-
The sequence left us pondering our pet cats and, for good measure, our worst selves.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Many four-year colleges have been planning for such a transition for years.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
19 May 2026
-
Too bad then that the man holding a debt over his head (Jonathan Coyne) is actually planning on offing him in his last match.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Powering the phone is a MediaTek Helio G99—this is a bit underpowered, even at this price point, but considering this is not meant to be a main phone, the silicon is serviceable.—
Ben Sin,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
-
That didn’t sit well with many people, considering the havoc caused by the crash.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Many Democrats, spooked by the prospect of their party being frozen out in June’s top-two primary, have been clinging to their ballots, intending to vote at the last moment for whichever Democrat appears likeliest to finish first.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
-
Prosecutors were intending to keep Wright behind bars until his trial but withdrew their request during the hearing.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Prime Video’s Off Campus has fans debating which Briar boy is the ultimate boyfriend fantasy.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
21 May 2026
-
But debating the legality of pot is sorely missing the point.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Qassem and Hanan drove from one hospital to another, trying to find Malak, while Ali stayed behind and kept looking for Zahra.—
Rania Abouzeid,
New Yorker,
21 May 2026
-
Sheriff’s homicide investigators are looking into the case.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
21 May 2026
Verb
-
Grant, of the Urban League, said the ordinance is the result of months of organizing, studying the issue and consulting with city officials and health advocates.—
Jack Harvel,
Kansas City Star,
22 May 2026
-
Ali Costellow is a rising senior studying visual journalism/photography and journalism at Western Kentucky University.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
And the two are treated differently, with Dorothy and other characters repeatedly questioning whether Tik-Tok is, in fact, alive.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
19 May 2026
-
Wanted for questioning, Watts later surrendered to authorities on an outstanding federal arrest warrant.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contemplating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemplating. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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