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
With John Cena set to retire, many people are contemplating who his opponent should be in his final match.
—
Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Inside, Archimedes begins contemplating the Universe beyond the Earth, and starts recounting various ideas about what its nature could be.
—Big Think, 30 Oct. 2025
Louise Hémon The jury would also like to acknowledge a director whose film transported us into an extreme landscape, and created an unsettling atmosphere that kept us contemplating the nature of lust, education, and violence.
—Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2025
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
Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Inside, Archimedes begins contemplating the Universe beyond the Earth, and starts recounting various ideas about what its nature could be.
—Big Think, 30 Oct. 2025
Louise Hémon The jury would also like to acknowledge a director whose film transported us into an extreme landscape, and created an unsettling atmosphere that kept us contemplating the nature of lust, education, and violence.
—Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemplating
Verb
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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
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The next year, eleven journalists went on to form the White House Correspondents’ Association in response to rumors that the Congressional Standing Committee of Correspondents was planning on selecting which reporters were invited to presidential news conferences.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
7 Nov. 2025
-
They had been alerted that Running Fence was planning to enter the ocean despite having no permit.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
According to the agenda for the organization’s regular meeting, the board is considering James Sly, the current chief executive officer of the East County Economic Development Corporation, to serve as its next leader.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Nov. 2025
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The democratic control of a new technology like AI requires public deliberation, and such public deliberation might seem impossible considering the view held by many (and reinforced by the tech industry) that AI is very complicated.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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After the death of his addict father, Ethan heads back to see if there’s any money to be made from selling his home, intending to stay, only briefly, with his aunt Sarah, Metcalf’s character, a Brunhilde of the high prairie.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Combs’ lawyers filed a two-page court document on Monday, October 20 intending to appeal his conviction.—
Danielle Bacher,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Oxford Union debating society announced Tuesday the ouster of President-elect George Abaraonye after reported comments celebrating the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.—
Lexi Lonas Cochran,
The Hill,
22 Oct. 2025
-
What To Know Measure 26-260 was crafted by the Portland City Council and referred to voters in June after months of debating how to present it to residents.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Guests looking to relive their childhood days at the arcade can enjoy a dozen pinball machines, racing games, air hockey, Skee Ball and Guitar Hero, just to name a few.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Oct. 2025
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That might frustrate viewers looking for a more straightforward arc of political awakening leading to some self-sacrificing action heroics on Adelaida’s part.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
By studying quenching mechanics at the microscopic level, Graffiedi aims to enable faster refueling in orbit.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Rucci’s journey into fashion began unexpectedly while studying philosophy and literature at Temple University.—
Tonya Blazio-Licorish,
Footwear News,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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He was extradited to Pennsylvania for questioning and when he was compelled to testify before a grand jury, Schrader invoked his Fifth Amendment right when asked about Carol Ann Dougherty's murder.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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As America gathers to watch his trial, Jax must contend with an ambitious new colleague, Bill Sterling (Sikora), and co-workers questioning her worth.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contemplating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemplating. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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