as in contemplated
to give serious and careful thought to
I'm pondering whether or not I should join another committee
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Recent Examples of pondered
In her conversation with Interview, Peters pondered whether the next Great American Novelist could be trans.
—
Grace Byron, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
National media and pundits pondered why a team would sell off Alan Pulido a year after signing him to a large extension and not commit to William Agada as the starter, as the two had somewhat similar chance and shot-creation numbers in 2024.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
Amid these non-Radiohead releases, fans have pondered Radiohead’s future, particularly after Yorke spoke to Australia’s Double J in October 2024 and addressed the speculation.
—Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2025
Former Philadelphia Phillies star John Kruk pondered one of life’s biggest questions during the team’s game against the Seattle Mariners on Monday night.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2025
While the sleuths pondered, other hotel guests dialed 911.
—Keith Sharon, Nashville Tennessean, 17 Aug. 2025
Thomas and Irish director Mark Cousins pondered over the state of the film industry during a 90-minute conversation, which also covered Harvey Weinstein, Harry Cohn and Thomas’ time spent with some of the biggest filmmakers in history.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 15 Aug. 2025
Just 36 hours before Florida’s new DOGE team arrived in Broward County on the prowl for questionable local government spending, North Lauderdale city commissioners pondered a spending issue — and voted to triple their own salaries, to $57,094 a year.
—Anthony Man, Miami Herald, 8 Aug. 2025
Kelly quickly pondered what to call in that moment and again went back to the slider to put away Stephenson.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025
Grace Byron, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
National media and pundits pondered why a team would sell off Alan Pulido a year after signing him to a large extension and not commit to William Agada as the starter, as the two had somewhat similar chance and shot-creation numbers in 2024.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
Amid these non-Radiohead releases, fans have pondered Radiohead’s future, particularly after Yorke spoke to Australia’s Double J in October 2024 and addressed the speculation.
—Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2025
Former Philadelphia Phillies star John Kruk pondered one of life’s biggest questions during the team’s game against the Seattle Mariners on Monday night.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2025
While the sleuths pondered, other hotel guests dialed 911.
—Keith Sharon, Nashville Tennessean, 17 Aug. 2025
Thomas and Irish director Mark Cousins pondered over the state of the film industry during a 90-minute conversation, which also covered Harvey Weinstein, Harry Cohn and Thomas’ time spent with some of the biggest filmmakers in history.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 15 Aug. 2025
Just 36 hours before Florida’s new DOGE team arrived in Broward County on the prowl for questionable local government spending, North Lauderdale city commissioners pondered a spending issue — and voted to triple their own salaries, to $57,094 a year.
—Anthony Man, Miami Herald, 8 Aug. 2025
Kelly quickly pondered what to call in that moment and again went back to the slider to put away Stephenson.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pondered
Verb
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Conducting compensation negotiations with a team is only one of relevant services contemplated by the SPAC.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The United States seriously contemplated striking North Korea’s Yongbyon reactor in 1993, even drawing up military plans to attack the site with penetrating munitions delivered by stealth bombers.—
VIPIN NARANG,
Foreign Affairs,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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While some debated whether the English-language pop single was actually a K-pop song, Lisa’s comeback single and tour with BLACKPINK this year brought her back into the Korean-pop industry at least for 2025.—
Jeff Benjamin,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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In recent years, critics and supporters have vigorously debated its response to post-pandemic inflation … Independence isn’t a permanent entitlement; it must be earned and maintained through transparency, accountability and performance.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As a junior at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City and vice chair of the Utah Federation of College Republicans, Beesley considered Kirk a hero.—
Rick Jervis,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
-
The century-old competition, held every four years, is considered as prestigious as a Michelin star—and many award-winning chefs have earned both.—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Approaches being studied or already in limited use include pills and liquids, topical creams, sprays or dressings and intravenous injections.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Such ingredients included cannabis extract and synthetic psychedelics whose effects and safety have not been formally documented or studied.—
Allison Parshall,
Scientific American,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Long Walk takes place in a disillusioned America that is entertained by a competition called The Long Walk— a challenge in which 50 teenage boys walk continuously without rest.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
12 Sep. 2025
-
My daughter isn’t responsible for keeping nephew entertained.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As the probe unfolded, Kelly Dever was one of several low-rent Canton losers who couldn’t keep their stories straight when questioned by the feds.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
-
That person was questioned and later released, and so was another taken into custody later that day.—
Dalia Faheid,
CNN Money,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Monica Di Giacomo weighed 320 pounds and no trainer would take her on.—
Laura Trujillo,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
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Harris briefly weighed a run for governor of California before ruling it out in July, leaving open the possibility of another presidential campaign in 2028.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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If that obsession had died down as the months went by, it was rekindled in November when House leaders explored the topic of UFOs once more.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
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Romvari cut her teeth with documentaries that also have explored her familial history, and this feels like a culmination of that work.—
Zach Dennis,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pondered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pondered. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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