as in contemplation
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as in contemplating
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 pondering
Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 3 Jan. 2026
Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026
Anderson has been pondering it for a while.
—ABC News, 5 Mar. 2026
The White House is still pondering what regulatory action to take.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 4 Mar. 2026
Brooks started thinking about happiness about 20 years ago, after a couple of hard career pivots left him pondering what came next.
—Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2026
All these are questions not unlike the one faced by the late Jerry Buss in 1981 when pondering the notion of hiring a kid who never had coached at any level.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Seven years ago, Williams was sitting in his bed in his New York studio apartment, eating pizza out of the box and pondering where to take his career.
—Tara Larson, Footwear News, 13 Feb. 2026
Authorities spent nearly two weeks combing the southern Arizona landscape, sorting through doorbell footage, pondering what could have happened to the mother of three.
—Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
At least one likely outcome would’ve been apparent, but pondering that likelihood wasn’t Pretti’s responsibility.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
Noun
All 50 years of craft, thought, thematic pondering — everything.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 3 Jan. 2026
Verb
The many years spent pondering and preparing for a potential attack on Iran are the reason that the first days of the war were, for the most part, a bravura display of American power.
—Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026
Anderson has been pondering it for a while.
—ABC News, 5 Mar. 2026
The White House is still pondering what regulatory action to take.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 4 Mar. 2026
Brooks started thinking about happiness about 20 years ago, after a couple of hard career pivots left him pondering what came next.
—Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2026
All these are questions not unlike the one faced by the late Jerry Buss in 1981 when pondering the notion of hiring a kid who never had coached at any level.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Seven years ago, Williams was sitting in his bed in his New York studio apartment, eating pizza out of the box and pondering where to take his career.
—Tara Larson, Footwear News, 13 Feb. 2026
Authorities spent nearly two weeks combing the southern Arizona landscape, sorting through doorbell footage, pondering what could have happened to the mother of three.
—Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
At least one likely outcome would’ve been apparent, but pondering that likelihood wasn’t Pretti’s responsibility.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pondering
Noun
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The paradox that the lush and peaceful surroundings also harbored the violent history of enslavement offered visiting artists further nuance for contemplation.—
Amy Paige Condon,
AJC.com,
12 Mar. 2026
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Somewhere in the next hour after the field is announced, there will be contemplation and whining about the specter of the NCAA growing its postseason field, most likely to 76 teams.—
Mac Engel
March 10,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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By honestly and realistically contemplating these answers and by speaking with a financial advisor or gold investing company representative, investors can tailor their gold approach to one that meets their needs and goals both this month and in the months that follow.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
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While Parayko was in Seattle with the team on Wednesday night, still contemplating his decision, Armstrong ordered a thorough examination of his staff’s phone, text and email records.—
Jeremy Rutherford,
New York Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The plaintiff, identified as KGM in documents or Kaley, as her lawyers have called her during the trial, says her early use of social media addicted her to the technology and exacerbated depression and suicidal thoughts.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 Mar. 2026
-
How would clinicians safely prescribe substances that change our perceptions, thoughts, and moods?—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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For groups debating between multiple post-match options, the convenience factor here stacks up well.—
Taylor Haught,
Miami Herald,
6 Mar. 2026
-
When Joe Carter connected off the Philadelphia Phillies’ Mitch Williams with the clinching home run, Gaston was studying a stat sheet, debating whether to use Darnell Coles to bat for Alfredo Griffin, the light-hitting, 36-year-old infielder on deck.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Studies have shown that meditation can help lower blood pressure, boost immunity, improve sleep, and slow memory loss.—
Kris Slugg,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Mar. 2026
-
And if you’re feeling compelled to listen to your own chants, white noises, meditations, etc.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In an effort to allay whipsawing energy markets, Western powers are considering an International Energy Agency proposal for the largest-ever release of oil reserves.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
11 Mar. 2026
-
As a result, Chandra is good for a lot of things, but its limitations matter when considering those big questions above.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
On Friday afternoon, Minnesota sent forward Vinnie Hinostroza to the Florida Panthers in exchange for future considerations.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
In a separate move, the Wild flipped winger Vinnie Hinostroza to the Florida Panthers for future considerations, successfully pairing down the roster after adding Nick Foligno and Minnesota native Bobby Brink at he trade deadline.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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At the time, Aramburo was 20 years old and still studying in Chicago, but the excitement of experiencing in person everything that her family had told her about the festivities, motivated her to make the trip.—
Karen Esquivel,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
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Dermatology student Aliyah Parker is studying the need for more skin cancer outreach in communities of color.—
James Taylor,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pondering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pondering. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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