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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of contemplating
Health benefits, child care assistance and other services were rolled back for the poorest Californians and the state is contemplating keeping those cutbacks in place in the coming year.
—
Sacbee.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Till has long been involved with a nonprofit organization called the Firekeeper Alliance, associated with Fire in the Mountains, teaching students on the reservation about how metal can be used as an outlet for catharsis as an alternative to contemplating suicide.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2026
Now, local officials in multiple states have begun the herculean work of changing the names of locations and holidays, as well as contemplating the fate of monuments and murals that honor Chavez.
—Daniella Silva, NBC news, 19 Mar. 2026
Johnson is contemplating bringing Champ to the gym for practice sessions, noting some of her teammates bring along their dogs.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026
Throughout United Village, plans also call for a Bailey Nurseries garden greenspace, outdoor murals and additional public art, with longer-term plans contemplating an open-air pavilion that could double as an ice rink and outdoor market.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 15 Mar. 2026
California lawmakers are also contemplating legislation that would better balance the state’s construction-defect laws.
—M. Nolan Gray, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
After the flight, comes the reality of starting afresh in an alien country, something the Iranian footballers will be contemplating now.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
By honestly and realistically contemplating these answers and by speaking with a financial advisor or gold investing company representative, investors can tailor their gold approach to one that meets their needs and goals both this month and in the months that follow.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
Sacbee.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Till has long been involved with a nonprofit organization called the Firekeeper Alliance, associated with Fire in the Mountains, teaching students on the reservation about how metal can be used as an outlet for catharsis as an alternative to contemplating suicide.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2026
Now, local officials in multiple states have begun the herculean work of changing the names of locations and holidays, as well as contemplating the fate of monuments and murals that honor Chavez.
—Daniella Silva, NBC news, 19 Mar. 2026
Johnson is contemplating bringing Champ to the gym for practice sessions, noting some of her teammates bring along their dogs.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026
Throughout United Village, plans also call for a Bailey Nurseries garden greenspace, outdoor murals and additional public art, with longer-term plans contemplating an open-air pavilion that could double as an ice rink and outdoor market.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 15 Mar. 2026
California lawmakers are also contemplating legislation that would better balance the state’s construction-defect laws.
—M. Nolan Gray, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
After the flight, comes the reality of starting afresh in an alien country, something the Iranian footballers will be contemplating now.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
By honestly and realistically contemplating these answers and by speaking with a financial advisor or gold investing company representative, investors can tailor their gold approach to one that meets their needs and goals both this month and in the months that follow.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemplating
Verb
-
But news is expected soon on the Hall of Fame KU coach, who is pondering his future after having heart problems the past few years.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2026
-
As new signs of a rift emerge in Western alliances, Putin and his generals are pondering plans for the spring and summer campaign across more than the 1,200-kilometer (about 750-mile) front line.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
After suffering a brutal knockout at UFC Seattle, Maycee Barber is already planning her comeback.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Browne’s family is planning an event honoring him in mid-May.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Connecticut lawmakers are considering whether to lift restrictions on the installation of portable, plug-in solar panels that have piqued the interest of many utility customers struggling with high electric bills.—
John Moritz,
Hartford Courant,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The New York Times first reported on March 23 that the Pentagon was considering deploying troops from a combat brigade unit of the 82nd Airborne Division.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Tucker and her then-boyfriend, Daniel Ryan Garrett, broke into Dean’s apartment intending to steal motorcycle parts.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
29 Mar. 2026
-
On July 16, 1999, Kennedy sat in the pilot’s seat of his single-engine plane, intending to drop off sister-in-law Lauren in Martha's Vineyard before continuing to Hyannis Port with his wife for cousin Rory Kennedy's wedding.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Instead of debating calls for hours, fans get a clear answer almost instantly.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Congress would be debating mandatory water wings for airborne pups.—
Pat Beall,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
When looking at the largest metro areas, the fastest growing counties tended to be on the outer edges.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Entelis is also aware that, as the network continues to expand its travel programming, audiences in 2026 are looking for escapism.—
Lale Arikoglu,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But researchers are also studying the drug’s effects on broader metabolic health, including blood sugar regulation, cholesterol levels and cardiovascular risk markers.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Learning a language, studying abroad, or simply traveling to experience something entirely unfamiliar to you.—
Kirah Tabourn,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile, Pattinson is like a manic roller coaster on screen, increasingly off the rails as the weight of Emma’s reveal has Charlie questioning everything and reacting badly to the situation.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The leaders of the Senate committee that oversees the FCC are questioning how the agency gave approval to the Nexstar–Tegna transaction, the massive broadcast station merger that already has been paused by a federal court.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contemplating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemplating. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
