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
But even among the anchors that aren’t contemplating leaving TV for YouTube, the attraction of digital media is too irresistible to ignore.
—
Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2026
Or, put another way, savers contemplating a $15,000 deposit into this account now can expect to earn a little more than $1 per week on their funds over the next year.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 6 May 2026
Here was a more congenial setting for contemplating liberty than Paris or Port-au-Prince.
—Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Conversely, revenues can spike during strong economic periods, making these taxes less reliable when contemplating long-term budgeting.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 4 May 2026
The former Orlando City head coach is contemplating a move back to Florida.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 1 May 2026
The city is also contemplating axing more than 94 vacant jobs.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Many companies have filed lawsuits seeking refunds and companies are contemplating the impact this would have on shareholders.
—Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
California is contemplating a one-time, 5 percent levy on the state’s billionaires—200 or so people in a population of 40 million.
—Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2026
Or, put another way, savers contemplating a $15,000 deposit into this account now can expect to earn a little more than $1 per week on their funds over the next year.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 6 May 2026
Here was a more congenial setting for contemplating liberty than Paris or Port-au-Prince.
—Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Conversely, revenues can spike during strong economic periods, making these taxes less reliable when contemplating long-term budgeting.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 4 May 2026
The former Orlando City head coach is contemplating a move back to Florida.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 1 May 2026
The city is also contemplating axing more than 94 vacant jobs.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Many companies have filed lawsuits seeking refunds and companies are contemplating the impact this would have on shareholders.
—Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
California is contemplating a one-time, 5 percent levy on the state’s billionaires—200 or so people in a population of 40 million.
—Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemplating
Verb
-
The two-term governor, who is seeking a third term in November while pondering a potential 2028 White House bid, is viewed favorably by 68% of Chicagoans and unfavorably by 20%.—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Gary Thuerk, of the Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), was pondering how to advertise upcoming demonstrations in California of his company’s latest computers.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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An hour before Hitchcock's execution, Texas is planning to put James Broadnax to death for the 2008 double murder of two Christian music producers in the Dallas suburb of Garland.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Countries across the Gulf have arrested scores of people during the war, on charges ranging from posting images of wartime damage, to planning terrorist attacks with Iran.—
Dominic Dudley,
semafor.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The court is considering an appeal of a lower-court judge’s ruling that the amendment is invalid because lawmakers violated procedural requirements.—
Eric Tucker,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
California lawmakers are considering a bill that would ensure insurance companies cover the cost of scalp cooling technology for cancer patients.—
Sooji Nam,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Prosecutors say that Allen tried to storm the dinner − where Vice President JD Vance and others from the administration were also in attendance − with multiple guns and knives, intending to kill high-ranking officials.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
3 May 2026
-
From Stoll's perspective, Howard wasn't intending to kill his lover.—
Julia Moore,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But debating such topics is the lifeblood of the draft, which manufactures would-be experts for the kind of second-guessing that helps fuel rampant and often inaccurate speculation.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
1 May 2026
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While Shug’s Bagels owner and founder Justin Shugrue is originally from New York, don't waste your time debating whether or not Shug's makes New York-style bagels.—
Nathanael Gassett,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The woman who died, Smith-Gray, was a high school senior looking forward to walking the stage at graduation, her family said on a fundraising page for her funeral expenses.—
Hannah Schoenbaum,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
If the Knicks are looking for a regular-season template that travels into Friday, that’s one of the best places to start.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Limon was studying geography, environmental science and policy, and Bristy was studying chemical engineering.—
Mike Schneider,
Sun Sentinel,
1 May 2026
-
Bristy was studying chemical engineering.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
Verb
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The aggressive political gains DeSantis and Republicans seek also have some in the party questioning whether the new map would put GOP incumbents at risk of losing future elections.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
28 Apr. 2026
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Despite the apology, Camp Mystic’s plans to reopen in late May with nearly 900 girls have angered victims’ families, and state officials are questioning whether the license should be renewed.—
Jim Vertuno,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contemplating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemplating. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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