DELIBERATING Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

deliberating

verb

present participle of deliberate

as in pondering

to give serious and careful thought to the jury deliberated the case for three days before returning a verdict

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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 deliberating Eberhart will preside over the inquest, question witnesses and ultimately charge the jury with deliberating. — Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026 The late senator was well known for his staunch pro-military perspective when deliberating on international affairs, which guided his actions while serving in the Senate and the House of Representatives. — Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026 After deliberating for just over an hour, the all-male, white, Protestant jury unanimously decided that 32-year-old spinster Borden didn’t commit a brazen daytime double homicide. — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 4 Aug. 2026 The Blue Jackets and Greaves can avoid that hearing by reaching terms on a new contract any time between now and the point at which the arbitrator begins deliberating after hearing both sides’ arguments. — Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 20 July 2026 Jurors began deliberating on Monday afternoon in the guilt-innocence phase of the trial. — Star-Telegram Staff. Produced With Ai Assistance, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 July 2026 The jury returned guilty verdicts after deliberating for less than two hours, according to the Webb County District Attorney's Office. — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026 Mark Williams asked the judge Friday morning to give an Allen charge, urging the jurors to continue deliberating. — Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026 The jury began deliberating Wednesday morning. — Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 25 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deliberating

Verb

Instead, the fast-casual restaurant chain's CEO and co-founder woke up pondering the country's ongoing cyclospora outbreak.

— Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026
One lucky Maryland resident might be pondering that after becoming the state's third $1 million winner in the past two weeks.

— Michelle Richardson, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of pondering

Verb

Supporters are circulating clips of Ossoff’s speeches, debating his prospects against other potential 2028 Democratic contenders and increasingly comparing his trajectory with Obama’s rapid rise from the Senate to the White House.

— Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2026
Opportunities are delayed because organizations are debating whose numbers are correct rather than deciding what actions to take.

— Ashraf Altawashi, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of debating

Verb

His team has seen many cancellations by importers who were shipping to the US East Coast or Texas via the canal, and who are now considering rerouting to Californian ports in Los Angeles and Long Beach.

— Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
That’s a lot of sweltering days, considering that the annual average is only about 37 days reaching 95 degrees or hotter.

— Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of considering

Verb

Since Australia's law came into force, countries including Canada, Brazil and Indonesia have enacted bans too, while many other countries are studying or developing laws.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
What Sweeney didn’t know was that when Lee Feaster, a football coach himself, was studying game film, Boobie was right there with him.

— Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of studying

Verb

The show centers on Garten entertaining in her Hamptons home for her family and friends and, sometimes, special guests the likes of Sesame Street’s Elmo, Michelle Obama, Mel Brooks, Jennifer Garner, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Emily Blunt.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Aug. 2026
With a sizable beam of 45 feet, Whisper offers ample space for both lounging and entertaining across five decks.

— Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of entertaining

Verb

McDonald, his black Atlanta Braves baseball cap folded and laid on the witness box, frequently shifted uncomfortably during questioning about the specific activities of other people involved in the gangs.

— Andy Rose, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
Warsh also declined, as is his policy, to provide forward guidance, leaving analysts questioning whether the central bank would follow through with hikes.

— Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of questioning

Verb

Warchus says the pair spent a couple of years weighing whether to attempt a musical version at all, wary of tampering with a project both are proud of.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026
The brand's Hydro Rush line (launched in 2023) gets lots of love from natural hair influencers for fulfilling their hair’s hydration needs without weighing it down.

— Ava Welsing-Kitcher, Allure, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of weighing

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deliberating

deliberation

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“Deliberating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deliberating. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of deliberating

verb

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