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
Introduced by Assemblyman Isaac Bryan, D-Culver City, the bill authorizes exemptions from state sales tax limits in Contra Costa and Los Angeles Counties—just as voters in both counties are contemplating increases to their local sales taxes.
—
Sal Rodriguez, Oc Register, 26 May 2026
Even before this year, employers were contemplating whether to cover GLP-1 drugs at all or whether to stop covering them altogether.
—Bruce Japsen, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
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
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
Sal Rodriguez, Oc Register, 26 May 2026
Even before this year, employers were contemplating whether to cover GLP-1 drugs at all or whether to stop covering them altogether.
—Bruce Japsen, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemplating
Verb
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By mid-November, the administration was even pondering a 40-cent-per-gallon levy, with the proceeds eventually refunded to consumers.—
Joseph Thorndike,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
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Would that every schoolchild could stand on the grassy knoll for a quiet minute, pondering the imponderables.—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
26 May 2026
Verb
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What to know about Artemis Under NASA's Artemis campaign, the space agency is planning to put astronauts on the surface of the moon for the first time since the Apollo era ended in 1972.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
26 May 2026
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The sector had been whispering earlier this year that Richemont was planning to offload Jaeger-LeCoultre.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
26 May 2026
Verb
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Osaka’s tennis shone, too, in a 6-3, 7-6(3) win that felt straightforward considering Siegemund’s ability to knock opponents off rhythm with her awkward, slice-laden game and use of tennis’ dark arts.—
Ava Wallace,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
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Mecum hasn’t published an auction estimate, but the vehicle seems certain to fetch top dollar considering its pedigree.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
27 May 2026
Verb
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Many people wake up intending to eat well and exercise.—
Allison Aubrey,
NPR,
25 May 2026
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Mark Culbertson told Los Angeles television stations KTLA and ABC7 that his family purchased several urns through Amazon after the death of his grandfather last year, intending to eventually divide the late relative’s ashes among family members once his grandmother felt ready to do so.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
20 May 2026
Verb
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There’s no debating that Arri Romero is one of the best pitchers in Southern California.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2026
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Democrats are debating whether to reorder their presidential primary calendar.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Verb
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The service was also facing the retirement of older, larger ships and was looking for ways to maintain its fleet size with smaller surface combatants that could be built more quickly and cheaply than bigger vessels, the report said.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
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Fueled by a successful investment, the government is looking for opportunities.—
Matthew Lynn,
Washington Post,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Other teams of astronomers have looked for clues about the movements of giant planets in the orbits of asteroids and other small objects, studying them like footprints to reconstruct how they might have been pushed or pulled into their current orbits by the gravity of giant planets on the move.—
Kiona N. Smith,
Space.com,
29 May 2026
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By studying past hurricanes, AI models can identify similarities with current storms and help forecasters detect important changes earlier.—
Katie Garch,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Taking a step back and questioning the way things are done can be an eye-opening experience that leads to surprising breakthroughs, especially as AI continues to bring about rapid change.—
David Henkin,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
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Canadians aren’t alone in these feelings; other would-be foreign visitors have balked at the talk over the US annexing Greenland, questioning the NATO alliance, and the handling of tariffs or wars.—
Natasha Chen,
CNN Money,
25 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contemplating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemplating. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
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