muse 1 of 2

muse

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word muse different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of muse are meditate, ponder, and ruminate. While all these words mean "to consider or examine attentively or deliberately," muse suggests a more or less focused daydreaming as in remembrance.

mused upon childhood joys

When is it sensible to use meditate instead of muse?

While in some cases nearly identical to muse, meditate implies a definite focusing of one's thoughts on something so as to understand it deeply.

meditated on the meaning of life

When might ponder be a better fit than muse?

The meanings of ponder and muse largely overlap; however, ponder implies a careful weighing of a problem or, often, prolonged inconclusive thinking about a matter.

pondered the course of action

Where would ruminate be a reasonable alternative to muse?

While the synonyms ruminate and muse are close in meaning, 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 muse
Noun
The president has frequently mused about using the military to control America’s cities, many of which are under Democratic control and hostile to his nationalist impulses. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2025 Trump has mused about a broader federal takeover of the nation’s capital, although that would require the approval of the House and Senate to repeal the Home Rule Act of 1973, which gives Washington its current measure of self-government. Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 8 Aug. 2025
Verb
Baba, my grandmother and his sister, was a patient muse on hundreds of occasions and that shaped them both in dramatic ways. Felicity Carter, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025 Sentimental Value stars his muse Renate Reinsve, plus Stellan Skarsgård and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, as estranged family members whose story is becoming a film featuring a famous actress played by Elle Fanning. Jack Smart, People.com, 31 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for muse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muse
Noun
  • At the end of the historic galleries, where light begins pouring into the building, visitors move above ground and pass by a quote from poet and Civil Rights activist Langston Hughes.
    Christopher Cann, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Their other brother, Brad, is a poet who followed his brothers into the Oz writers’ room and has since worked on shows like The Americans.
    Nate Jones, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Ultimately, Americans of all political stripes would be wise to ruminate on the larger takeaways of this story.
    Isaac Saul, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
  • Justice notes these preoccupations often impact our wellness in subtle and overlooked ways that can add up to significant harm like sleep disturbance, irritability, uncontrolled worry, ruminating about the ‘what ifs,’ exhaustion, burnout, and over-functioning.
    Essence, Essence, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Like many such venues across America, the Kempner also hosted lectures, minstrel shows, musicals, operas, plays and vaudeville acts, along with community events such as school graduations.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Aug. 2025
  • His grandfather Daniel was a miner who would perish in an underground accident, and his great uncle George owned a minstrel show that toured Western mining camps.
    Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 31 July 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
  • Getting Started With Beginning Meditation Steps Plenty of obstacles and myths abound that can keep you from taking the first step to meditate.
    Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Some included petting elephants, meditating, exploring the bustling streets of Tokyo, and exploring the vibrant nature Japan has to offer.
    Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 4 Sep. 2025
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
  • The infectious energy and Justin Bieber-style appeal of 25-year-old country hitmaker Bailey Zimmerman was not reflected in the CMA nominations.
    Marcus K. Dowling, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • With contributions across disciplines, the legends featured in the pages of WWD over the decades let their passion fuel innovation, shaping and evolving brand legacies and the industry to reflect the times while leaving an indelible mark.
    Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • With faster connections between GPUs and memory, with and between racks and between data centers Nvidia projected ambitious plans to create high performance AI training and inference.
    Thomas Coughlin, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • His skating and puck skills were good at the OHL level, but don’t project to dominate an NHL game.
    Murat Ates, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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