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 Sauer’s deeply contemplative images of the ancient Oak offer the opportunity to meditate on the importance of humanity’s relationship with nature, and the legacy of the living world. Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025 The movie rarely slows down long enough to allow its characters to meditate on their shifting realities. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 8 July 2025 Those who meditated showed clear improvements in key aspects of attention. Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 10 July 2025 Richie, running the front of the house, continues on his journey of self-improvement, crafting inspirational addresses to the staff, meditating on a photo of a Japanese Zen garden and dealing in an adult way with his soon-to-be-remarried ex-wife and daughter; the Bear has become his lifeline. Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for meditate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meditate
Verb
  • The bottom line is downright depressing: short of a direct U.S. military intervention that no serious analyst would contemplate, Trump’s toolkit to will a Ukraine peace deal into existence is bare.
    Daniel DePetris, Time, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Hodges has been contemplating his future, talking with God to figure things out.
    La Risa R. Lynch, jsonline.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Japan Coast Guard In areas known to contain seabed resources, these activities could be intended to prospect marine economic data that supports follow-on extractive operations, the analyst said.
    Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Aug. 2025
  • Instead of selling reactors, Oklo intends to provide electricity through long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs), overseeing operations from construction to output.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Michael Bier of Foul Territory TV also pondered a division with the Royals, Rangers, Astros and Cardinals.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 18 Aug. 2025
  • Thomas and Irish director Mark Cousins pondered over the state of the film industry during a 90-minute conversation, which also covered Harvey Weinstein, Harry Cohn and Thomas’ time spent with some of the biggest filmmakers in history.
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Air Canada announced flights were planned to resume Aug. 18 after the Canadian government ordered the Canadian Union of Public Employees to call off the strike, according to a statement from the airline.
    Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 17 Aug. 2025
  • The stadium would seemingly compete with Republic FC’s new stadium that is initially planned to fit 12,000 fans with the ability to expand to 20,000 or more, and also serve as a potential venue for concerts and events.
    Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 17 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Yet, Trump’s measured tone with Zelenskyy and willingness to entertain significant U.S. involvement in a post-war security arrangement were notable after his chummy summit with Putin, heartening supporters of Ukraine.
    Zac Anderson, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2025
  • But what may have shifted is President Donald Trump's patience to entertain steadfast Russian demands.
    Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Preston went missing for the first time in 1990, McCollum said.
    Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 9 Aug. 2025
  • Other posts remain online long after going viral — even if the comments section is flooded with fans noting that a video or picture is falsified or abusive.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Who the team is considering for director or when the selection will be announced remains under wraps.
    Andrew McGowan, Variety, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Sometime in their discussions, McVay began to embrace a new, holistic view of the game; zooming out before each matchup to consider an opponent’s history, coaching philosophy and the connective tissue between its offense, defense and special teams.
    Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The gaming community was hit with another delay of Grand Theft Auto 6 earlier this year and that means those who were hoping to spend the fall months stealing cars and evading the police are needing something to fill that void.
    Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • As voters cast their ballots Aug. 5, some, like Adrianne McCutchen, were hoping for a leader to boost the city.
    Dana Afana, Freep.com, 7 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Meditate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meditate. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.

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