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 Feel the need to meditate after dealing with a PDF file? New Atlas, 29 May 2025 When Kerouac joined Snyder at Marin-An in the spring of the following year, the two Beat icons meditated together and spent many hours hiking on Mount Tamalpais. Paul Liberatore, Mercury News, 23 May 2025 Hike part of the Appalachian trail, meditate by a waterfall, forest bathe, or forage for medicinal plants with a guide. Elise Taylor, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2025 Neither of the other Jedi answered, just accepted the reality of the situation, and all four moved toward the circle of meditating Jedi. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 29 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for meditate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meditate
Verb
  • While Leslie’s book is largely about Lennon, McCartney and their fruitful collaborations, contemplate what George Harrison became.
    John Tamny, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • Wright decided to come out after contemplating suicide in 2006.
    Jeff Nelson, People.com, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • No, Squid Game was not intended to be three seasons.
    Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 28 June 2025
  • Striped Button-downs Nautical stripes have been making major waves this summer (no pun intended), especially in the form of a breezy button-down top.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • The modern 55 and older homebuyer isn’t looking to sit all day on a recliner pondering our end of life options.
    Jamie Gold, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The two countries have been engaged in aerial strikes and Trump had been pondering U.S. involvement for the past week.
    Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • Less than a decade later, Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in more than dozen other states had converted to for-profits, typically highly controversial proposals, given questions about what was to become of their billions of dollars of assets.
    Laurence Darmiento, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2025
  • The future of California water lies beneath the surface, protected, planned, and ready when it’s needed most.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • There’s no pressure to perform, no need to entertain or constantly talk.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • The band’s repertoire will include a variety of music to entertain audiences of all ages.
    Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Soto, who left the Yankees in the offseason for a record-setting 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets, went 0-for-4 on Sunday but finished the series 4-for-11 with a home run and three RBI.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 July 2025
  • Montgomery went 3-for-5 with the first-inning RBI triple and singles in the fourth and seventh innings in his second major-league game.
    LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2025
Verb
  • The county had considered a flood warning system on the river similar to a tornado warning siren about six or seven years ago, but Kelly said the idea never got off the ground and the cost would have been an issue.
    Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 6 July 2025
  • Many organizations should consider launching a convoy of innovations.
    Rick Burton, Sportico.com, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • As European policymakers inch closer to issuing regulations on the mandatory implementation of eco-design principles to foster better textile and apparel recycling, CDC Studio hopes to come to the rescue with an alternative approach.
    Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 1 July 2025
  • Before his death, Young warned that education had not become the equalizer many hoped for, but rather a divider—sorting people by wealth and access rather than raw talent.
    Leadership Brainery, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Meditate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meditate. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

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