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
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
In 1985, the CIA pondered who could rule Indonesia after Suharto, the authoritarian president who had reigned since 1967, eventually left the stage.
—Ben Bland, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2024
Not only did the men discuss the present commemoration like the community block party and giveaways, but also pondered how New Edition Day would be celebrated in the future.
—Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 3 Sep. 2019
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
In 1985, the CIA pondered who could rule Indonesia after Suharto, the authoritarian president who had reigned since 1967, eventually left the stage.
—Ben Bland, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2024
Not only did the men discuss the present commemoration like the community block party and giveaways, but also pondered how New Edition Day would be celebrated in the future.
—Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pondered
Verb
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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
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According to The Athletic, Hurley contemplated leaving coaching due to exhaustion and taking roughly one year to physically and mentally recharge.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
3 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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The couple considered renting out the storefront portion of the building while simultaneously toying with the idea of opening a business of their own.—
Erik S. Hanley,
jsonline.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Seattle coach Mike Macdonald considered going for it on fourth-and-1 from the 19-yard line but instead opted for a field goal.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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While the concept of autonomous soaring has been studied before, applying it to long-distance drone flights could transform aviation.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Sep. 2025
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In the research for his doctoral dissertation, Nelson studied Ford Motor Company’s electronics division (now Visteon) and its effort to completely overhaul the product design and delivery processes.—
Nelson P. Repenning,
Time,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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With a little creativity, there are plenty of ways to keep them entertained — all from the comfort of home.—
Kelsey Monstrola,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The Beatles great last entertained Chicago in July 2017.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Speaking on condition of anonymity, the worker described the mounting panic as agents surrounded the building and gathered up to 70 workers – many from Guatemala and Nicaragua – into the lunchroom, where the entire workforce was questioned.—
Hanna Park,
CNN Money,
6 Sep. 2025
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The establishment is also not too far from an Immigration and Customs Enforcement checkpoint, where officers questioned drivers about their legal status.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Kiger made some measurements of the animal and weighed it in at 130 pounds.—
Tim Kelly,
Outdoor Life,
4 Sep. 2025
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Emails obtained by The Star showed that top Missouri officials weighed the legality of the move late last month.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
3 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 11 Sep. 2025.
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