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
Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Just pondering the logistics of building and running La Selva was as incredible to me as the nature that surrounded us.
—Noah Lederman, Robb Report, 3 Jan. 2026
That’s a question Leonardo DiCaprio is pondering.
—Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 3 Jan. 2026
The latter, a song about confronting the woman her husband is cheating on her with, is a pivotal album track, one that’s gotten plenty of people pondering over Madeline’s true identity.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 14 Dec. 2025
Walker also asked Gaskill whether his oath of office crossed his mind while pondering the language in his bill.
—Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 12 Dec. 2025
When Americans analyze a small shop in a foreign country, time stops counting itself on clocks and pondering its own dull finiteness.
—Francesco Pacifico, The Dial, 9 Dec. 2025
The commish should have plenty of time for pondering, as the revisitation of the league’s rights deals probably won’t happen for at least another year.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 21 Nov. 2025
In this bleak economic environment, professionals who have lost their jobs as a result of AI are likely pondering what their next career move should be; whether to transition into a new industry or profession, or how to beef up their arsenal of skills.
—Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2025
Noun
All 50 years of craft, thought, thematic pondering — everything.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 3 Jan. 2026
Verb
And for those pondering their futures, going out with a win sure beats the alternative.
—Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Just pondering the logistics of building and running La Selva was as incredible to me as the nature that surrounded us.
—Noah Lederman, Robb Report, 3 Jan. 2026
That’s a question Leonardo DiCaprio is pondering.
—Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 3 Jan. 2026
The latter, a song about confronting the woman her husband is cheating on her with, is a pivotal album track, one that’s gotten plenty of people pondering over Madeline’s true identity.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 14 Dec. 2025
Walker also asked Gaskill whether his oath of office crossed his mind while pondering the language in his bill.
—Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 12 Dec. 2025
When Americans analyze a small shop in a foreign country, time stops counting itself on clocks and pondering its own dull finiteness.
—Francesco Pacifico, The Dial, 9 Dec. 2025
The commish should have plenty of time for pondering, as the revisitation of the league’s rights deals probably won’t happen for at least another year.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 21 Nov. 2025
In this bleak economic environment, professionals who have lost their jobs as a result of AI are likely pondering what their next career move should be; whether to transition into a new industry or profession, or how to beef up their arsenal of skills.
—Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pondering
Noun
-
After much contemplation, a solution presented itself.—
Laurie Brookins,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Some of those moms include the terrific performers Cindy Cheung and Liz Wisan, and the play itself promises satire, songs, bouffon, bodily fluids, and, underneath it all, a contemplation of overwhelming joy and ineffable heartache.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Still, at least some are already contemplating a return to their homeland.—
Natalia Jaramillo,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Jan. 2026
-
After months of rumors about the downtown location, in January the company confirmed plans to shut down its stores in DOCO and the Sunrise Mall — the struggling retail center in Citrus Heights where city officials are contemplating eminent domain.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
30 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Want to send thoughts or suggestions to Fortune Tech?—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
10 Nov. 2025
-
While speaking with Fox News Digital, celebrity matchmaker and relationship expert Alessandra Conti shared her thoughts on Aniston's choice to date a non-celebrity after her series of famous exes.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Opposite a serene Rooney Mara and a raging Claire Foy, Buckley is a lone dissenting voice in Sarah Polley’s heart-wrenching portrait of a group of women and girls in an isolated Mennonite colony who are debating how to respond to a series of brutal attacks from the men in their community.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Many Americans are debating whether the shooting was justified after videos taken by bystanders and cellphone footage from the officer were released, leading to protests around the country.—
Grace Miserocchi,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
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There is little pre-meditation for his decisions; even his love for Donati comes about by surprise.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Practice mindfulness and relaxation techniques, such as meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises.—
Laura Dorwart,
Verywell Health,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In considering whether to allow the sales, China is trying to balance AI development with its push for chip self-sufficiency.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
7 Jan. 2026
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In other business, the council began considering a request to annex a 47-acre parcel east of Bauer Farms, south of County Road 700 North and west of 625 West.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
System stability remains a key design consideration.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
-
March 20 — second 'funnel' deadline The second funnel deadline requires bills to advance further through the legislative process in order to remain eligible for consideration.—
Stephen Gruber-Miller,
Des Moines Register,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
That research laid the foundation for studying blood-loss control.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The concept was introduced in 2014 at UC Davis when a group of graduate students led by Ernst Oehninger was studying ways to prevent food waste.—
Bay Area News Group,
Mercury News,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pondering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pondering. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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