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 What really took so long was the officials deliberating over the nearest point of relief on the practice ground side. — Brody Miller, New York Times, 14 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 in that trial was unable to reach a verdict on the charge related to Mann and a mistrial was declared, as one juror refused to continue deliberating amid hostilities among their fellow jurors. — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2026 The jury began deliberating Wednesday morning. — Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 25 June 2026 Yes, the third branch of the US government just spent its time deliberating a legal question about our humble, underfollowed CEFs. — Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 The jury started deliberating on Thursday after a nine-day trial. — Wcco Staff, CBS News, 23 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deliberating

Verb

After graduation, Coyne continued taking community college courses while pondering her next steps.

— Kerry McDonald, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
In a land that tends to believe bigger is better, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been pondering the World Cup’s future.

— Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 14 July 2026

Definition of pondering

Verb

Harry was said to have been contemplating bringing his children to meet the king.

— Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 10 July 2026
The Sox are contemplating selecting either UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky, Texas high school shortstop Grady Emerson or Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey with the first pick.

— LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026

Definition of contemplating

Verb

For an industry that has spent decades debating how to portray disability authentically, that shift in who holds the microphone may turn out to be the more consequential story.

— Keely Cat-Wells, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
No debating whether to grab a hot dog now or wait until the seventh inning.

— Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 July 2026

Definition of debating

Verb

The question comes after a Wall Street Journal report last week saying that Netflix executives were considering adding in live channels that continuously stream one program or certain genres, in an effort to boost viewer engagement.

— Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2026
That’s dangerous, considering the National Institute on Aging estimates that up to 1 in 5 women 50 and up have it— in fact, 1 in 2 of these women will break a bone as a result.

— Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 16 July 2026

Definition of considering

Verb

Rittenhouse’s research primarily deals with studying endangered and threatened bat species and impacts of land planning and management uses.

— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026
The probe will monitor changes in the asteroid’s orbit, shape and surface while also studying its internal structure.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 19 July 2026

Definition of studying

Verb

That sequence would be remembered as one of the more famous, hilarious stretches in recent golf history, maybe even the core memory of Spieth’s ever-entertaining prime.

— Brody Miller, New York Times, 14 July 2026
Excellent choice for location in Chicago, entertaining in-house amenities, and vintage style.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026

Definition of entertaining

Verb

But when Maggie’s ex-husband, Liam (Marcus Rosner), arrives with a shocking revelation, her world is thrown into turmoil once again — leaving Cal questioning whether Maggie can ever truly leave her past behind.

— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 16 July 2026
Officials also spent hours questioning one of the deportees, Emmanuel McSweeney, 29, who told officials that neither he nor his parents were born in Haiti.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026

Definition of questioning

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“Deliberating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deliberating. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of deliberating

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