Synonyms of contemplating

contemplating

verb

present participle of contemplate

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

• pondering
• considering
• debating
• studying
• questioning
• eyeing
• entertaining
• weighing
• exploring
• reviewing
• analyzing
• deliberating
• cogitating
• ruminating
• meditating
• thinking (about or over)
• looking at
• wrestling (with)
• revolving
• mulling (over)
• chewing on
• turning
• digesting
• poring (over)
• perpending
• chewing over
• kicking around
• beating one's brains out (about)
• reminiscing
• reasoning
• reflecting (on or upon)
• cudgeling one's brains (about)
• concluding
• believing
• musing (upon)
• opining
• absorbing
• speculating (about)
• conceiving
• brooding (about or over)
• fretting (about or over)
• dwelling (on or upon)
• second-guessing
• assimilating
• obsessing (about or over)
• fixating (on or upon)
• drinking (in)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignoring
• disregarding
• overlooking
• rejecting
• dismissing
• slighting
• pooh-poohing

2

as in planning

to have in mind as a purpose or goal

he waited patiently, contemplating revenge all the while

Synonyms & Similar Words

• planning
• intending
• looking
• hoping
• going
• trying
• proposing
• wishing
• aiming
• meaning
• designing
• calculating
• meditating
• aspiring
• attempting
• purporting
• considering
• purposing
• pondering
• allowing
• dreaming
• debating
• figuring on
• plotting
• struggling
• endeavoring
• striving
• effecting
• accomplishing
• achieving
• performing
• executing
• mulling (over)
• scheming

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of contemplating

Now, under new ownership, organizers are contemplating future growth that could involve perhaps 20,000 participants, more visitors from outside North Carolina and a place among the country’s premier destination races. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 5 Nov. 2026

The novel begins with Percheron contemplating news of Field’s death, and proceeds to trace their youths, including their meeting, in 1807, when Field is humbled by Percheron’s virtuosity on the piano. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026

So Dzirasa began contemplating other ways to connect two disparate brain regions. — Simon Makin, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2026

Madeleine is beautiful and melancholy, spending hours driving around San Francisco and contemplating a painting that seems to haunt her. — Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026

But other governments, including Altamonte Springs, are already contemplating big cuts to library services. — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Oct. 2026

The city is contemplating $185 million in financial participation, including a 35-year tax revenue-sharing agreement and about $25 million to $40 million in fee waivers. — Sacbee.com, 27 Oct. 2026

Anyone contemplating retirement abroad should investigate insurance, emergency arrangements and the ability to pay upfront before making the move. — Lance B. Fulford, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026

And last year, the Justice Department sent a letter of warning to leaders in Asheville and Buncombe County, North Carolina, contemplating creating their own programs. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026