Synonyms of meditate

meditate

verb

ˈme-də-ˌtāt 

1

as in to contemplate

to give serious and careful thought to

I've been meditating a career change for months

Synonyms & Similar Words

• contemplate
• ponder
• entertain
• consider
• study
• debate
• explore
• question
• ruminate
• eye
• weigh
• analyze
• cogitate
• review
• think (about or over)
• mull (over)
• wrestle (with)
• chew on
• deliberate
• look at
• pore (over)
• revolve
• perpend
• chew over
• turn
• digest
• kick around
• beat one's brains out (about)
• cudgel one's brains (about)
• reflect (on or upon)
• reminisce
• muse (upon)
• believe
• conclude
• reason
• dwell (on or upon)
• absorb
• speculate (about)
• opine
• brood (about or over)
• conceive
• fret (about or over)
• assimilate
• fixate (on or upon)
• drink (in)
• obsess (about or over)
• second-guess

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignore
• slight
• disregard
• overlook
• dismiss
• reject
• pooh-pooh
• pooh

2

as in to intend

to have in mind as a purpose or goal

had meditated a quick return to work after having the baby, but circumstances changed

Synonyms & Similar Words

• intend
• plan
• contemplate
• go
• hope
• try
• wish
• look
• mean
• aim
• propose
• purpose
• calculate
• design
• aspire
• allow
• attempt
• purport
• consider
• figure on
• dream
• ponder
• strive
• struggle
• accomplish
• debate
• achieve
• endeavor
• perform
• mull (over)
• execute
• scheme
• effect
• plot

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

Recent Examples of meditate

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

Lk 10:25-37), that is, by meditating on the love that builds a fraternity open to all, without exception. —Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025

Running is also a good time to meditate on my work. —Jake Stern, Outside Online, 22 May 2025