PONDERED Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

pondered

verb

past tense of ponder

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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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 pondered In a July 2025 text chain, an agent pondered whether facial recognition tools could be used to identify people on TikTok who admitted to being in the country illegally. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026 In a July interview with Rolling Stone, Foreman pondered why his story went viral. — Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 29 July 2026 SerpApi’s right to defend open web, expert says Beyond its own customers, people invested in the open web have also pondered what the impact of a Google win could be, SerpApi suggested. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 27 July 2026 Not bad considering national media hasn’t pondered them all season besides suggesting another player be traded away. — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 15 July 2026 Last week began in a slump as investors pondered whether memory chip maker Micron would show sustained demand in its earnings report. — Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 Plunkett, with the Norman Rockwell Museum, pondered whether Americans viewing the painting today would find a familiar feeling. — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 25 June 2026 Season 2 continues this thread, and Hely pondered the sense of exhaustion about living in this corporate world. — Kambole Campbell, Variety, 25 June 2026 Later, Neill pondered whether he might be considered a victim of abuse due to the Polish director’s practices. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 24 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pondered

Verb

As a result, every year thousands of students who had contemplated teaching or pharmacy or public service become accidental financiers.

— Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
But the revolt imperiled Infantino, as Europe contemplated replacing him with Nasser Al-Khelaifi, a hugely influential figure in European club soccer.

— Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 30 July 2026

Definition of contemplated

Verb

According to the blunt John Adams, the American Revolution began before the war with Britain, in the people’s minds and hearts, and Arendt situated those shifts in American town councils where citizens had debated local affairs.

— David Denby, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
The research on this topic is extensive and widely debated, but a 2026 study has re-modelled a global individualism-collectivism scale to measure where each country falls.

— Mark Carey, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of debated

Verb

But the race started to take a completely different shape in July, when Crowley dropped his bid and threw his support behind Rodriguez, who was considered more of an establishment candidate.

— Caroline Linton, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
This history means Yellowstone is considered active rather than extinct.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of considered

Verb

After graduating from Proviso West High School, Norris studied at Triton College while working as a secretary.

— Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
To scientists, the idea that the link between vaccines and autism simply hasn’t been studied enough – as Kennedy often claims – is astounding.

— Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of studied

Verb

Disneyland will invite longtime fans to take a nostalgic trip down memory lane next year with a fireworks show, parade and nighttime spectacular that entertained visitors over the past two decades.

— Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 16 Aug. 2026
The idea is one of extension, of continuing the thread of modernity, of constantly making new again and again—maintaining continuity against so many distractions, ignoring the jewelry-rattlers who want to be entertained in the fancy theatah.

— Carlos Valladares, ARTnews.com, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of entertained

Verb

Skeptics have questioned whether graphics processing units (GPUs) can support this type of financing because the chips have historically been viewed as rapidly depreciating technology.

— Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026
So when Lahn came to his farm last week, Burrack questioned him on his approach to agriculture.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of questioned

Verb

According to a Meta news release, the team explored hundreds of designs, from all-caps to literal handwriting.

— Greta Cross, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026
Another group explored an area near a post-and-rail fence where workers had hit a large rock structure when installing posts.

— Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of explored

Browse Nearby Words

ponderable

pondered

pondering

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“Pondered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pondered. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of pondered

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