Synonym Chooser

How is the word meditate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of meditate are muse, ponder, and ruminate. While all these words mean "to consider or examine attentively or deliberately," meditate implies a definite focusing of one's thoughts on something so as to understand it deeply.

meditated on the meaning of life

When can muse be used instead of meditate?

The meanings of muse and meditate largely overlap; however, muse suggests a more or less focused daydreaming as in remembrance.

mused upon childhood joys

Where would ponder be a reasonable alternative to meditate?

The words ponder and meditate can be used in similar contexts, but ponder implies a careful weighing of a problem or, often, prolonged inconclusive thinking about a matter.

pondered the course of action

When is ruminate a more appropriate choice than meditate?

In some situations, the words ruminate and meditate are roughly equivalent. However, ruminate implies going over the same matter in one's thoughts again and again but suggests little of either purposive thinking or rapt absorption.

ruminated on past disappointments

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 meditate Andor reflected the chaos of radicalization, meditating on the consequences of embracing an ideology. Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 14 May 2025 Lk 10:25-37), that is, by meditating on the love that builds a fraternity open to all, without exception. Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 In the commercial, Clark sits in the locker room with her head down and eyes closed, seemingly meditating before a game. Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025 This experience gave customers the opportunity to take a break and meditate at their own rhythm, encouraging them to think about wellness, not just sports and movement, when interacting with the Nike brand. Clara Ludmir, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for meditate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meditate
Verb
  • Based on historical probabilities, traders may contemplate taking a position prior to the earnings announcement.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
  • Don't forget outlier contests and Harris' possible return in California One feature of the 2026 gubernatorial races could be the return of Kamala Harris to the national stage, as the former vice president continues to contemplate a run for California governor.
    Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 27 July 2025
Verb
  • According to Renaissance Capital, cornerstone investors intend to purchase 20% of the shares in the offering.
    Beck Andrew Salgado, Austin American Statesman, 23 July 2025
  • In other words, a buyer who never intends to close escrow, but intends to assign the purchase contract in escrow to another buyer for a higher price.
    Christopher A. Combs, AZCentral.com, 22 July 2025
Verb
  • The Rafael Devers blockbuster is probably the biggest deal that will go down, but the temptation is there to ponder other earthshaking possibilities, no matter how remote.
    Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 11 July 2025
  • Viewing the team’s three-year stint here as an audition of sorts, officials have pondered if the local enthusiasm for baseball could help prove the Sacramento region as a welcome home for MLB.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • At a July 23 capital improvements committee meeting, questions were raised about why a report from the county's facilities planning steering committee recommended projects tied to maintenance and repairs at senior facilities be put on hold or not recommended at all for the 2026 budget.
    Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 25 July 2025
  • The school plans to kick off the upcoming high school football season with the new seating, which replaced crumbling concrete bleachers that were estimated at roughly 50 years old.
    Katie Nixon, The Tennessean, 25 July 2025
Verb
  • The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice.
    Ray Padilla, The Courier-Journal, 26 July 2025
  • Mole Man / Harvey Elder has some scenes played by the always entertaining Paul Walter Hauser.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
Verb
  • The story goes that the robbery occurred in broad daylight while occupants of Villa Nellcôte watched TV, having reportedly been conducted by Marseille drug dealers that Richards was said to have owed money to.
    Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 15 July 2025
  • The Monday night downpour went viral on social media after the rain inundated the 28th St. station on the No. 1 subway train, causing major late-night delays.
    Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • The suit is the latest attempt to block Resolution Copper from building the mine on land east of Phoenix considered sacred to the Apache and other tribes.
    Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 30 July 2025
  • City officials are considering reinstating youth curfews, cracking down on problematic businesses, and holding parents accountable for their children's actions.
    David Ferrara, The Enquirer, 30 July 2025
Verb
  • Paribatra Na Ayudhya hopes his generation can be the one to ensure their survival.
    Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • Doctors gave her a bag of medication, hoping to stabilize her liver function.
    Jordan Greene, People.com, 14 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Meditate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meditate. Accessed 1 Aug. 2025.

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