mulling (over)

verb

present participle of mull (over)
as in pondering
to give serious and careful thought to mull over the idea for a while and then let me know

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mulling (over)
  1. pondering
  2. contemplating
  3. considering
  4. debating
  5. entertaining
  6. studying
  7. questioning
  8. weighing
Verb
  • Newsom, who is pondering a 2028 presidential campaign, and the two men vying to replace him — Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton — oppose it.
    — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • In the stands, fans murmured beneath their breath, wondering what new math the Kiffin’s successor could be pondering.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of pondering
Verb
  • The city is contemplating a slate of public incentives estimated to total around $185 million.
    — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Statements from Ethiopian officials contemplating the acquisition of the Eritrean port of Assab by force have caused alarm in the Eritrean capital of Asmara.
    — Alemayehu Fentaw Weldemariam, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of contemplating
Verb
  • Justices Elena Kagan, Ketanji Brown Jackson, and Sonia Sotomayor dissented, arguing that allowing the case to move forward prevents the lower court from considering Pike’s allegations from her childhood.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The Florida Department of Education is considering a new dress code policy for employees that puts restrictions on religious head coverings, Crocs and short skirts.
    — Ana Goñi-Lessan, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of considering
Verb
  • Kedia wasn’t surprised by the unanimous interest rate decision because the FOMC had been debating higher interest rates for months.
    — Taylor Millard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2026
  • While the two candidates were technically debating each other, the most prominent name onstage wasn’t there and isn’t on the ballot.
    — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of debating
Verb
  • This Paradise Valley estate is designed for entertaining on a decidedly large scale.
    — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Football is putting itself in a bit of jeopardy, allowing people to experience it without caring, entertaining the fantasy and gambling and the social aspect.
    — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of entertaining
Verb
  • By studying what happens when these energetic particles collide with target materials, scientists can investigate the shapes and sizes of atomic nuclei.
    — Andrea Richard, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2026
  • While making Sunrise on the Reaping in Spain, Zada and costar Mckenna Grace burned through the night rewatching the original Hunger Games films, studying every line and gesture.
    — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of studying
Verb
  • In her rebuttal, prosecutor Shanan Buckingham said that this is the first time the court is hearing that Reddington is questioning the evidence.
    — Kristina Rex, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Designers revisited the skirt, the jacket, the cargo, the biker jacket; questioning their traditional codes and exploring how they can be worn today.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of questioning
Verb
  • The city’s zoning administrator is now weighing whether to revoke the operator’s permit.
    — Blanca Begert, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Beyond apprenticeships, the mayor’s childcare office is weighing opportunities for assistant teachers to become lead teachers, and partnerships with CUNY and other higher education institutions on more traditional models.
    — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of weighing
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Mulling (over).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mulling%20%28over%29. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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