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 If not for the rhythmic motion of the stylus’s nub against the touch screen, he could have been mistaken for someone meditating. Matt Alt, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025 There’s also a serenity garden where students can escape to relax or meditate. Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025 But the film’s wild, icy and rural visuals, captured grandly by cinematographer Tyson Perkins, are astonishingly gorgeous to meditate in. Tomris Laffly, Variety, 14 Aug. 2025 Listening to the ocean waves, maybe even meditating? Letters To The Editor, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for meditate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meditate
Verb
  • That same year the Clippers and Aspiration signed deals that contemplated a $300 million partnership for Aspiration to sponsor the Clippers’ arena and the team’s jersey patch.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The film’s title carries particular significance for Yoon, who has been contemplating it for 15 years.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Despite lacking any legal education or experience, Routh dismissed his lawyers earlier this year and intends to defend himself at trial.
    Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
  • It is not intended as legal, financial, medical, or professional advice.
    William Jones, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In her conversation with Interview, Peters pondered whether the next Great American Novelist could be trans.
    Grace Byron, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Here are some points to ponder over based on the insights from this emerging research.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • When asked by a reporter for more details about how Trump planned to ban mail-in ballots, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the administration planned to work with Republicans on Capitol Hill and in state legislatures.
    Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Quinn had a couple of credentials for his radio show, which had planned to broadcast from Dublin but nixed it at the last minute because co-host LaVar Arrington, the former Penn State and NFL linebacker, didn’t have a passport.
    Pete Sampson, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But Lecornu has run into some controversy in the past for entertaining far-right leader Marine Le Pen at a secret dinner to discuss Ukraine last year.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Alongside the rise of YouTube Golf, a number of entertaining golf podcasts now exist — so this threesome has their work cut out for them.
    Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • While the most obvious advice is to not drive through deep floods, people want to get to their destinations and often go right into the asphalt swamp.
    Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Meanwhile, on The Bold and the Beautiful, Ridge has had his own will-they-won't-they situation going with Rebecca Budig's Taylor Hayes.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Still, that isn’t a factor when considering how hard and inspired the Broncos played in front of a ninth straight sellout crowd at Albertsons Stadium.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 6 Sep. 2025
  • First things first — 1831 is a ludicrously early start date here, considering England didn’t play their first international until 1872.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In the press release regarding the official launch of the Program, Impel co-founder and CEO Devin Daly emphasized the impact the companies hope to make by helping industry employees gain the acumen to effectively work alongside AI.
    Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • By pairing neutral terminology with accessible treatment options, clinicians hope to empower women to take control of their health, sexuality and well-being during and after menopause.
    Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Meditate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meditate. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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