as in pondering
to give serious and careful thought to
the jury deliberated the case for three days before returning a verdict
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 deliberating
The two-week trial in Los Angeles federal court concluded with the jury deliberating for nearly two days.
—
Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
On Thursday afternoon, jurors also had begun deliberating on the felony vandalism charge, which carries a potential prison sentence of up to three years and possible restitution.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
Online court records show the Milwaukee County jury found 52-year-old Demetric Scott guilty of felony identity theft and witness intimidation after deliberating for most of the day.
—CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
Jurors are expected to begin deliberating Friday and could render a verdict that day.
—Justin Wingerter, Denver Post, 28 Jan. 2026
In October 2014, MSHSL began deliberating on how to accommodate transgender athletes.
—Jordan Shearer, Twin Cities, 27 Jan. 2026
The nine-member jury -- seven women and two men -- began deliberating Wednesday afternoon.
—Dan Morse The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 23 Jan. 2026
But he was also quickly impeached following wrangling with opposition lawmakers over his refusal to fill vacant seats at the Constitutional Court, which was deliberating whether to formally throw Yoon out of office.
—CNN Money, 22 Jan. 2026
Jurors are expected to begin deliberating shortly after lunch.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
On Thursday afternoon, jurors also had begun deliberating on the felony vandalism charge, which carries a potential prison sentence of up to three years and possible restitution.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
Online court records show the Milwaukee County jury found 52-year-old Demetric Scott guilty of felony identity theft and witness intimidation after deliberating for most of the day.
—CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
Jurors are expected to begin deliberating Friday and could render a verdict that day.
—Justin Wingerter, Denver Post, 28 Jan. 2026
In October 2014, MSHSL began deliberating on how to accommodate transgender athletes.
—Jordan Shearer, Twin Cities, 27 Jan. 2026
The nine-member jury -- seven women and two men -- began deliberating Wednesday afternoon.
—Dan Morse The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 23 Jan. 2026
But he was also quickly impeached following wrangling with opposition lawmakers over his refusal to fill vacant seats at the Constitutional Court, which was deliberating whether to formally throw Yoon out of office.
—CNN Money, 22 Jan. 2026
Jurors are expected to begin deliberating shortly after lunch.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deliberating
Verb
-
But homeowners like Kahn are already pondering San Jose without Mayor Mahan.—
Julia Prodis Sulek,
Mercury News,
1 Feb. 2026
-
The Rams will be at home pondering what might have been.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
OpenAI may be contemplating an IPO before the end of the year in part to get out in the public market ahead of its rival Anthropic, according to the Journal’s reporting.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Lately, she’s been reading up on the licensing rules in other states and contemplating a move after her husband finishes school.—
Natalie Yahr,
jsonline.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Florida House of Representatives is debating legislation that would require local governments to allow single-family homeowners to build accessory dwelling units — commonly known as efficiencies or granny flats — on their properties.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Join Richard Sher’s panel with Vatz, Catalina Byrd, Jimmy Mathis and Barry Gogel debating the continuing feud between Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and State’s Attorney Ivan Bates.—
Bill Wachsberger,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Take the quiz here … REAL STEAL – These states are considering eliminating property taxes for homeowners.—
,
FOXNews.com,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The Pats and Seahawks aren’t quite the draw of the Eagles and Chiefs, but Nielsen’s new measurement system has been boosting TV ratings across sports over the past six months, so put me down for a record 128 million (or more), especially considering the global appeal of Bad Bunny.—
Dan Shanoff,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The study authors are still studying the lipstick vine species while also examining close relatives to observe further the role of pollinators in the evolution and speciation of the plants, Lu said.—
Taylor Nicioli,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
-
As part of the Ermlin Project, Granata is studying mustelids like stoats and assessing their conservation status in the Alps.—
Aliza Chasan,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
She's always shown skill in shocking people but then entertaining them even more.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
3 Feb. 2026
-
For that reason, Democrats are demanding that any compromise be codified into law, and so far, Republicans are entertaining the conversation.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
During the Miami town hall, Savannah Guthrie pressed Trump on his administration's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and his social media reposts questioning Osama bin Laden's death.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Bateman’s questioning aside, the lack of research is a central conceit of the show, which launched during the pandemic as a pastime for friends and now hosts Will Arnett, Sean Hayes and Bateman.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Maryam Zar, who formed a community group to help guide the recovery from the Palisades fire, is also weighing a mayoral bid — and doesn’t plan to decide until the final day.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Analysts say Beijing may be weighing trade, investment and other measures to respond – and dissuade other countries in the region from taking similar steps.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deliberating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deliberating. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
