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 By jumping forward to 1994 and Gacy’s — spoiler alert — execution, the finale is able to bring together many of the survivors and family members of the victims for what could almost be a one-act play meditating on the ethical and spiritual thorniness of the death penalty. Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2025 He’s been meditating on his designs in the past few years and decided to take a philosophical approach. Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2025 Something about all that quiet prompted me to meditate—nothing formal, just 10 minutes alone in the hush. Rosecrans Baldwin, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025 The reason behind this is largely due to differences in sleep among those who meditate a lot and those who don't. Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for meditate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meditate
Verb
  • But the old flivver was ticking along, reminding Drew of happy hours—leaning on opposing fenders under its hood with Lloyd, contemplating the Dart’s latest ailment.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Again, no more than one or two managers in every league should be contemplating late-season schedules and playoff matchups.
    Andy Behrens, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The flip side to Marner’s exit is that the Leafs have cap flexibility and intend to take a swing with it.
    Pierre LeBrun, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The addition, intended for anyone age 10 and older, is a fish tank filter that can be attached to a tropical aquarium.
    Julia Gomez, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Athletic’s Mike Jones recently wondered if Miami had to go on a postseason run to save McDaniel’s job, and CBS broadcaster Jim Nantz pondered during the Chiefs-Raiders game whether there would soon be news out of Miami.
    Zac Jackson, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Charles Lee pondered his answer for a split second.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The researchers plan to address the light sensitivity issue by modifying how the vitamin interacts with the electrolyte and by improving the engineering of the flow cell itself.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Thomas Tuchel plans to speak to the Real Madrid midfielder.
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The club thought Beane was righteous and entertaining enough to feature his rant — that the Bills even had to bleep — at the very beginning of their behind-the-scenes draft special.
    Tim Graham, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • This attracted many music students, one of them Costa Rican Mario Castellón, who formed a group with two Colombians, a Peruvian and a Chilean to entertain at a wedding.
    Karla Gachet, NPR, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The rapper also expressed frustration towards those who criticized her appearance at a rally Kamala Harris hosted in Milwaukee ahead of the 2024 election, stating that the wrong parts of her speech went viral.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2025
  • These can require more unraveling, and the further back one goes, the more conjecture there is.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Wouldn’t it be considered colonial literature instead?
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 18 Oct. 2025
  • One of two vice-chairmen of the commission, the general is the third-most powerful commander of the People’s Liberation Army and has been considered a close associate of President Xi Jinping, the army’s commander-in-chief.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Beane, however, had better hope his incoming defensive reinforcements make a significant push to keep 2025 on the Super Bowl track.
    Tim Graham, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Although some movies for grown-ups are having a tougher time, analysts hope studios continue to make them.
    Brent Lang, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Meditate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meditate. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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