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
Relevance
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
Now, a new report suggests some owners are already contemplating an unusual factor that could influence negotiations if talks drag into next year.
—
Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
The state argues those conversations illustrate a broader failure by OpenAI to prevent its technology from providing dangerous assistance to users contemplating violence.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 1 June 2026
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
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
Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
The state argues those conversations illustrate a broader failure by OpenAI to prevent its technology from providing dangerous assistance to users contemplating violence.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 1 June 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemplating
Verb
-
It’s all added up to a potential worst-case scenario for Republicans pondering the midterms.—
Bloomberg,
Oc Register,
3 June 2026
-
Recently, that other long-running music magazine published a list of the 100 Greatest Punk Albums and their picks left me pondering the exact boundaries of punk (which, admittedly, is not a very punk thing to do).—
Brendan Hay,
SPIN,
2 June 2026
Verb
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In addition, the group is planning to bury a time capsule to be opened on America's 500th birthday in 2276.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
-
In May 2020, AMC struck a deal for an undisclosed amount of money, gaining control of both properties and planning an interconnected suite of shows under the Immortal Universe title.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 14 states are considering legislation that would pause or ban new data centers.—
Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
-
Although some of these drones get through, resulting in civilian casualties and damage to homes and infrastructure, analysts at RUSI and CSIS say that Ukraine’s air defenses are doing remarkably well considering the sheer size of Russia’s attacks.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
In May 2019, Said left for the United Kingdom, intending to return.—
Bozorgmehr Sharafedin,
The Atlantic,
1 June 2026
-
The staff member is now intending to re-sell the tickets via FIFA’s official marketplace, which will mean FIFA takes a 30 per cent cut — 15 per cent from the buy side and sell side.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Democrats are debating whether to reorder their presidential primary calendar.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Both teams are looking for a healthy seven-game series, but the Knicks seeing their best scorer heading off the court early isn't the way the Eastern Conference champions wanted to kick off their first trip to the NBA Finals since 1999 against these same Spurs.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2026
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At the same time, the tech giants and others in the industry are looking for ways to cut costs, including through layoffs.—
Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
4 June 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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But now parents – and one county commissioner – are questioning the role technology plays in learning.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
2 June 2026
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Reyes was taken into custody by the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office and turned over to the FBI for questioning, according to the documents.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contemplating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemplating. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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