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
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
This state of affairs allows the Thunder to be the giant that lurks quietly while pondering its choices before Thursday afternoon’s trade deadline.
—Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
But homeowners like Kahn are already pondering San Jose without Mayor Mahan.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 1 Feb. 2026
The Rams will be at home pondering what might have been.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
That was the question that Golden Rain Foundation directors asked in August while pondering ways to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
—Anita Gosch, Oc Register, 19 Jan. 2026
In pondering why people are having fewer children, Williamson fairly cited social shifts as leading young women to delay motherhood in favor of higher education and careers.
—Ellie Austin, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
Noun
All 50 years of craft, thought, thematic pondering — everything.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 3 Jan. 2026
Verb
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
This state of affairs allows the Thunder to be the giant that lurks quietly while pondering its choices before Thursday afternoon’s trade deadline.
—Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
But homeowners like Kahn are already pondering San Jose without Mayor Mahan.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 1 Feb. 2026
The Rams will be at home pondering what might have been.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
That was the question that Golden Rain Foundation directors asked in August while pondering ways to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
—Anita Gosch, Oc Register, 19 Jan. 2026
In pondering why people are having fewer children, Williamson fairly cited social shifts as leading young women to delay motherhood in favor of higher education and careers.
—Ellie Austin, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pondering
Noun
-
Of course neither an award nor a banning is an accurate barometer of the originality or beauty of a thing, and the marketplace that determines whether a book is read by eager millions or six gentle poets in quiet contemplation is a poor barometer as well.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Muslims typically stream into mosques for congregational prayers and dedicate more time to religious contemplation and the reading of the Quran, the Islamic holy book.—
Mariam Fam,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Much of that was forged alongside Serena, the winningest women’s player ever with 23 grand slam singles titles who may also be contemplating her own return to tennis.—
Jay Plotkin,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Feb. 2026
-
There’s Amber Glenn, a 26-year-old powerhouse and LGBTQ+ rights activist whose career took off just when most figure skaters are contemplating retirement.—
Dave Skretta,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
To many, this is a sad, depressing thought.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Las Culturistas cohost Bowen Yang, who recently departed SNL and has a thriving career in movies and TV, grows reflective at the thought of the traditional late-night format vanishing altogether—and with it the power to speak to a wide range of Americans all at once.—
Joy Press,
Vanity Fair,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Policymakers are interested too, debating whether public policy and taxpayer money should be used to propel off-site construction from niche application to a regular, if not dominant, feature of the industry.—
Ben Christopher,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Hani Haddad, a Sandburg sophomore, said a group of students debating about the club on his bus home.—
Addison Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
While spa treatments are not included in the price of stay, like food and most activities, there are many wellness offerings like yoga, pilates, and meditation, a full gym, and use of a giant heated swimming pool that are included for no additional fee.—
Katie Mathews,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Upscale wellness resorts advertised the idea that a guest could come and experience meditation and spiritual healing without having to sleep on a floor, abstain from alcohol, or take a vow of silence.—
Lilit Marcus,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The question was about the student section’s harassment of former Spartan Xavier Booker, which seemed like a legitimate query considering Booker had a terrible game.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
From an outside lens, Norway’s lack of hockey success doesn’t make much sense, especially considering its status in other winter sports.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy approached bags with the same consideration that defined the rest of her wardrobe.—
Julia Rabinowitsch,
Vogue,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Jalen Brunson, Knicks Brunson is another guy very deserving of first-team consideration.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
At the time of his death, he was focused on studying comets and astroids that could pose a hazard to Earth.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Hassan Herzallah is a Palestinian storyteller, writer, and translator based in Gaza, currently in his fourth year studying English translation.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pondering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pondering. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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