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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Recent Examples of deliberating
The foreperson eventually refused to continue deliberating.
—
CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Concerns regarding its adoption had led United to look elsewhere and pursue other candidates at the end of the 2023-24 season, while deliberating Erik ten Hag’s future.
—David Ornstein, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
The Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are set to face off on Saturday in Florida — and there are a few questions worth deliberating.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 31 Dec. 2025
While buyers in other cities might spend weeks deliberating over offers, Miami moves at a pace that catches newcomers off guard.
—Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 19 Dec. 2025
The jury reached the mixed verdict after deliberating for approximately six hours on Thursday, according to WISN.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 19 Dec. 2025
The jury began deliberating Friday afternoon.
—Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 15 Dec. 2025
After deliberating for less than 30 minutes, a jury found a Milwaukee man guilty of killing a convenience store worker in October 2024.
—Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 30 Oct. 2025
And the Senate is deliberating over the passage of a broader bill that governs crypto market structure and includes text about which federal agencies will regulate which classes of crypto assets.
—Ben Weiss, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025
CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Concerns regarding its adoption had led United to look elsewhere and pursue other candidates at the end of the 2023-24 season, while deliberating Erik ten Hag’s future.
—David Ornstein, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
The Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are set to face off on Saturday in Florida — and there are a few questions worth deliberating.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 31 Dec. 2025
While buyers in other cities might spend weeks deliberating over offers, Miami moves at a pace that catches newcomers off guard.
—Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 19 Dec. 2025
The jury reached the mixed verdict after deliberating for approximately six hours on Thursday, according to WISN.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 19 Dec. 2025
The jury began deliberating Friday afternoon.
—Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 15 Dec. 2025
After deliberating for less than 30 minutes, a jury found a Milwaukee man guilty of killing a convenience store worker in October 2024.
—Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 30 Oct. 2025
And the Senate is deliberating over the passage of a broader bill that governs crypto market structure and includes text about which federal agencies will regulate which classes of crypto assets.
—Ben Weiss, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deliberating
Verb
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An online war of words has tech leaders pondering a hollowing out of Silicon Valley, and millions of dollars are flowing to political committees engaged in the fight.—
MIchael R. Blood,
Fortune,
14 Jan. 2026
-
And for those pondering their futures, going out with a win sure beats the alternative.—
Colton Pouncy,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Most recently, the administration began contemplating buying and converting large warehouses into detention centers.—
Lauren Villagran,
USA Today,
14 Jan. 2026
-
By the time of the party, Eskilsson had stepped down as Tobii’s CEO and was contemplating a sedate life serving on boards.—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Opposite a serene Rooney Mara and a raging Claire Foy, Buckley is a lone dissenting voice in Sarah Polley’s heart-wrenching portrait of a group of women and girls in an isolated Mennonite colony who are debating how to respond to a series of brutal attacks from the men in their community.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Many Americans are debating whether the shooting was justified after videos taken by bystanders and cellphone footage from the officer were released, leading to protests around the country.—
Grace Miserocchi,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Critics of Newsom, including San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan — now considering a run for governor as Newsom reaches his term limit in 2026 — were quick to pounce on the report.—
Ethan Varian,
Mercury News,
15 Jan. 2026
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That’s equivalent to $24 million, but considering the length of his service (which began in the 1960s), the amount pales in comparison to the annual incomes of William and Charles.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Both of us started studying the Ojibwe language.—
David Treuer,
The Atlantic,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Now a new preprint study is shedding light on Sagittarius A* by studying what happens as material falls toward the black hole.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Excess Throw Blankets Winter entertaining often includes bringing out additional throw blankets for guests and family to create a welcoming and cozy feel.—
Kristin Hohenadel,
The Spruce,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The estate’s 16,500-square-foot mansion was built in 2012 with a laundry list of amenities for entertaining large groups.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
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He was held for questioning for two days, but released without charges in connection to her death.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Roughly 20 parents spoke to the school board Thursday night questioning what would happen if Blanton closed.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This lightweight bag provides ample space for belongings like your keys, phone, and wallet, without weighing you down.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Jan. 2026
-
It's loaded with protein and is thickened slightly with crushed tortilla chips and starch from the beans, so it’s guaranteed to satisfy without weighing you down.—
Martha Stewart,
Martha Stewart,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deliberating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deliberating. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
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