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
His trip to Old Trafford for the Leeds United match will have left him contemplating the more difficult decisions ahead.
—
Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Stafford is at the far end of his career, Jimmy Garoppolo is a free agent contemplating retirement, and fourth-year pro Stetson Bennett has not played in a regular-season game.
—Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
The state AGs are contemplating whether to challenge Paramount-WBD on antitrust grounds.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
This pair of novellas is about a middle-aged woman, the heroine’s sister, who comes to Tokyo intent on obtaining breast implants and a protagonist contemplating artificial insemination in a culture that doubts the procedure’s morality.
—Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
Now, the couple is planning a few trips and contemplating buying a new car.
—Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
With flights to catch and security to clear, the last thing travelers have in mind is spending quality time contemplating paintings or sculpture.
—Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 20 Apr. 2026
But bad ideas are endemic to the region, so now the city is contemplating a similar diversion of its reserves.
—Harvey Levine, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
The city is contemplating a brisk timeline of four years to build the stadium.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 2026
Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Stafford is at the far end of his career, Jimmy Garoppolo is a free agent contemplating retirement, and fourth-year pro Stetson Bennett has not played in a regular-season game.
—Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
The state AGs are contemplating whether to challenge Paramount-WBD on antitrust grounds.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
This pair of novellas is about a middle-aged woman, the heroine’s sister, who comes to Tokyo intent on obtaining breast implants and a protagonist contemplating artificial insemination in a culture that doubts the procedure’s morality.
—Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
Now, the couple is planning a few trips and contemplating buying a new car.
—Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
With flights to catch and security to clear, the last thing travelers have in mind is spending quality time contemplating paintings or sculpture.
—Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 20 Apr. 2026
But bad ideas are endemic to the region, so now the city is contemplating a similar diversion of its reserves.
—Harvey Levine, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
The city is contemplating a brisk timeline of four years to build the stadium.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemplating
Verb
-
Children’s Hospital Colorado suspended those services in January; that decision was upheld by a state judge, but the Colorado Supreme Court is pondering whether to order the services to resume.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The medical drama's season 2 finale ended on a cliffhanger Thursday, April 16, with Wyle's character pondering a three-month sabbatical and a motorcycle ride across the country.—
Brenton Blanchet,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The district recently approved new course materials for some high school math courses, and is planning for a middle school Spanish language arts pilot and new advanced high school welding class to start next school year.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
-
JPMorgan Chase is planning to consolidate workspace for existing Charlotte workers and account for more hiring by moving into a SouthPark office that has room for over 1,000 workers, further expanding its push into the hometown territory of rival banks.—
Chase Jordan
April 21,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
City are also considering other options, while Real Madrid have been touted as a possible destination for Rodri too.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Florida, for instance, is set to hold a special session next week that will include considering mid-decade redistricting.—
Oren Oppenheim,
ABC News,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
While many leave college intending to return, few ultimately do.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Bishop acquired the property, intending to preserve the inactive cemetery as a memorial site for the military veterans buried there, some dating back to the Civil War.—
Nicole Comstock,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Idaho lawmakers spent hours debating a surge in rodents menacing Boise-area gardens and kitchens and threatening agriculture and public health.—
Karin Brulliard,
Washington Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The hoods might just as well evoke the garb of Christian monks debating whether the soul is distinct from the body.—
Dawn Chan,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
United are, however, also looking at the centre-back market.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Every franchise is looking for that game-changing find.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Limon was studying geography, environmental science and policy, and Bristy is studying chemical engineering.—
Claudia Lauer,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Show more Yazbek is studying medicine and is living with her family among strangers in the refugee camp, trying to study on her iPad while kids play tag in the halls.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Sources say the character didn’t survive test screenings (audiences kept questioning why Andy needed a roommate at all).—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Panamanian officials confirmed that Jalil was immediately transferred to the country’s Judicial Investigation Directorate and is expected to face questioning by prosecutors in the coming days.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contemplating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemplating. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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