as in contemplation
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
as in contemplating
to give serious and careful thought to
I'm pondering whether or not I should join another committee
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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 pondering
Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 3 Jan. 2026
Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 8 May 2026
As Jeff Sanders wrote (here) on Thursday, the Padres are pondering a lot of different ways to deal with their starting pitching situation in the coming weeks.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2026
The two-term governor, who is seeking a third term in November while pondering a potential 2028 White House bid, is viewed favorably by 68% of Chicagoans and unfavorably by 20%.
—Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Gary Thuerk, of the Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), was pondering how to advertise upcoming demonstrations in California of his company’s latest computers.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
Children’s Hospital Colorado suspended those services in January; that decision was upheld by a state judge, but the Colorado Supreme Court is pondering whether to order the services to resume.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
The medical drama's season 2 finale ended on a cliffhanger Thursday, April 16, with Wyle's character pondering a three-month sabbatical and a motorcycle ride across the country.
—Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
And while that tie will be one many neutrals will enjoy and look forward to, Real Madrid will be left spending the final weeks before the season ends pondering what needs to change to reign across Europe for an unprecedented 16th time.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2026
With the war in Iran creating a shortage of the fuel and fertilizer that farmers across Asia need to plant and harvest rice, many smallholders are seeking alternative supplies or pondering whether to plant at all.
—Yang Yang, Bloomberg, 14 Apr. 2026
Noun
All 50 years of craft, thought, thematic pondering — everything.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 3 Jan. 2026
Verb
The sequence left us pondering our pet cats and, for good measure, our worst selves.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 8 May 2026
As Jeff Sanders wrote (here) on Thursday, the Padres are pondering a lot of different ways to deal with their starting pitching situation in the coming weeks.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2026
The two-term governor, who is seeking a third term in November while pondering a potential 2028 White House bid, is viewed favorably by 68% of Chicagoans and unfavorably by 20%.
—Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Gary Thuerk, of the Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), was pondering how to advertise upcoming demonstrations in California of his company’s latest computers.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
Children’s Hospital Colorado suspended those services in January; that decision was upheld by a state judge, but the Colorado Supreme Court is pondering whether to order the services to resume.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
The medical drama's season 2 finale ended on a cliffhanger Thursday, April 16, with Wyle's character pondering a three-month sabbatical and a motorcycle ride across the country.
—Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
And while that tie will be one many neutrals will enjoy and look forward to, Real Madrid will be left spending the final weeks before the season ends pondering what needs to change to reign across Europe for an unprecedented 16th time.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2026
With the war in Iran creating a shortage of the fuel and fertilizer that farmers across Asia need to plant and harvest rice, many smallholders are seeking alternative supplies or pondering whether to plant at all.
—Yang Yang, Bloomberg, 14 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pondering
Noun
-
Gold can be one option worth serious contemplation right now.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
5 May 2026
-
Art beckons at Rothko Chapel and The Menil Collection, quiet sanctuaries where light, color, and contemplation merge.—
Carrie Honaker,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
And after spending time contemplating addressing her aging skin, the time was right.—
Hedy Phillips,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
-
At the heart of the film, there are two young boys who are discovering their identity and their first love, and contemplating what to do with it.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
In Islamic thought, wealth is understood as a trust from God, to be handled with care and never mistaken for proof of divine endorsement.—
Boutayna Chokrane,
Pitchfork,
7 May 2026
-
Jerry Seinfeld is offering his thoughts on Friends — not that there’s anything wrong with that.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
The exchanges grew increasingly heated as Pratt repeatedly attacked Raman’s homelessness proposals, prompting Raman to accuse Pratt and Bass of focusing more on attacking her than debating one another.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
7 May 2026
-
The trial over Pitt's allegations of Jolie's breach of contract is scheduled to begin sometime in 2027, with Pitt and Jolie still debating on an exact start date.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
The doctor starts with a panchakarma meditation session to determine what treatments your body needs.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 May 2026
-
Indeed, as a sobering meditation on the physical and psychological violence inflicted upon women in relationships, the alt-pop tale could never be described as a crowd-pleaser.—
Jon O'Brien,
Vulture,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
And half the conference isn't an exaggeration, considering Sankey's prior remarks.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
-
State lawmakers are considering legislation that would exempt from taxation 50% of the residential property owned by a fully disabled veteran, or 100% if their household income does not exceed $40,000.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
Reliever Trevor Richards reported for duty for the Chicago White Sox on Friday, three days after he was acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies for cash considerations.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
The Mustangs’ 200 free relay of Chloe Wool-Smith, Pang, Karolina Sangasy and Mia Walker clocked a consideration time for the CIF State meet next week.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
Then again, the protagonist might be Hannes (Enzo Brumm), a former farm boy studying at the same school in 1972.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
-
Thorsen helped lead research for the CDC studying infant disabilities, according to prosecutors.—
Sasha Pezenik,
ABC News,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pondering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pondering. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
