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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as in contemplation
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Recent Examples of pondering
Max Goldbart, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2025
Since then, hosts have included Jo Koy, who bombed, and Jerrod Carmichael, who gave an esoteric monologue pondering the value of his presence there.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025
Murphy, who has launched a group called the American EV Jobs Alliance to try to build bipartisan support for electric vehicles, has spent years pondering why more Republicans won't buy them.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 13 Mar. 2025
Season 2 did not end as abruptly, with Owen seen looking into the distance and pondering the future in the finale’s final moments.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2025
Here, Joseph’s poetics tend vague — his characters are fond of pondering whether the universe is just a simulation, whoa, dude — but at least the actors are strong anchors.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2025
Which version is correct has profound implications to astrophysicists — and to anyone pondering whether life could have existed on the planet.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 25 Feb. 2025
Gretchen is pondering that now, though.
—Brian Grubb, Vulture, 21 Feb. 2025
As ever, alongside the snakes, there are monkeys are, and the episode ends with Timothy Ratliff pondering his legal troubles.
—Peter White, Deadline, 23 Feb. 2025
Noun
While producers pondering where to set their next movie will surely be tempted, this does come at a time when those in Hollywood especially are desperate to bring production back to home shores.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2025
Since then, hosts have included Jo Koy, who bombed, and Jerrod Carmichael, who gave an esoteric monologue pondering the value of his presence there.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025
Murphy, who has launched a group called the American EV Jobs Alliance to try to build bipartisan support for electric vehicles, has spent years pondering why more Republicans won't buy them.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 13 Mar. 2025
Season 2 did not end as abruptly, with Owen seen looking into the distance and pondering the future in the finale’s final moments.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2025
Here, Joseph’s poetics tend vague — his characters are fond of pondering whether the universe is just a simulation, whoa, dude — but at least the actors are strong anchors.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2025
Which version is correct has profound implications to astrophysicists — and to anyone pondering whether life could have existed on the planet.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 25 Feb. 2025
Gretchen is pondering that now, though.
—Brian Grubb, Vulture, 21 Feb. 2025
As ever, alongside the snakes, there are monkeys are, and the episode ends with Timothy Ratliff pondering his legal troubles.
—Peter White, Deadline, 23 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pondering
Verb
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Meanwhile, 61% of medical students are contemplating careers outside clinical practice, viewing medical school as a stepping stone to other fields in healthcare.—
Richard Menger MD MPA,
Forbes,
22 Dec. 2024
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Over five million Syrians have been displaced abroad over the last 13 years, and many of them are now contemplating a return home.—
Karam Shaar,
Foreign Affairs,
20 Dec. 2024
Noun
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And when the internet bloomed, people grew alarmed that easy access to information would erode our capacity for concentration and contemplation.—
Robert B. Tucker,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
-
The song plays as Jack reflects on everything unfolding in his world — a moment of quiet contemplation and inner reckoning.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
18 June 2025
Noun
-
Hernandez admits Medicaid cuts could give people here second thoughts.—
John Daley,
NPR,
22 June 2025
-
Still, many have criticized the new renovations, sharing their thoughts on social media.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
People.com,
21 June 2025
Verb
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Among its selections this spring is this 2001 satire that, considering climate change and our incoming administration, will probably still hit pretty hard.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
8 Jan. 2025
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Hoping for compensation Lewis is among those employees now considering legal action against Jingle.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
8 Jan. 2025
Noun
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In addition, there will be a huge selection of wellness sessions led by international Alo instructors, including meditation, Pilates, outdoor strength workouts and sound healing.—
Rachel Dube,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
-
Many traditional gyms have social perks like steam rooms and saunas, and plenty of local yoga studios (like Khali or Charlotte Yoga) offer everything from meditation to deep stretch classes.—
Sunny Hubler,
Charlotte Observer,
25 June 2025
Noun
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This suggests that its disruptive effects only work on certain types of cells, which will be an important consideration when developing medications.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
29 June 2025
-
Performance impacts are a consideration too, including physiological and mental impacts for athletes competing in extreme heat or experiencing long breaks during play.—
Claire Poole,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
Verb
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Despite more positive reports in previous months, concerns remain about the economic outlook, leaving policymakers and businesses questioning whether the downturn in confidence will translate to slower growth in 2024.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
24 Dec. 2024
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Singing on the beach under the stars may not stop people (or me) from questioning the legitimacy of my Asian identity, but these moments bond me to the community and culture of my grandparents.—
Acacia Gabriel,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Cultures that reward speed over depth and reactivity over reflection must evolve.—
Alejandro Bravo,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
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With King in particular, Cannon sees a reflection of her own journey, having been waived and signed to hardship contracts multiple times throughout her career.—
Anthony De Leon,
Los Angeles Times,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pondering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pondering. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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