as in contemplates
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 ponders
Expect a meditative film that ponders big issues with a poet-like touch.
—
Randy Myers, Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2026
While Raspadori ponders whether to accept Roma’s offer and leave Atletico just six months after his move to Spain from Napoli, Gasperini has to make do-and-mend.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Gazing out the window on approach to Salt Lake City’s sprawling semi-new international transportation edifice, Lamar Skeeter ponders his trail mirroring the rugged terrain surrounding the area below.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 11 Jan. 2026
Roberts doesn’t offer much empathy for the poor, diseased critter other than a pause when Ben momentarily ponders his reflection in a pool as Adrian Johnston’s eerie synth-piano score tinkles.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Small businesses throughout the Golden State, especially those in rural or underserved communities, are on pins and needles as the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) ponders Verizon’s acquisition of Frontier.
—Javier Palomarez, Sacbee.com, 19 Dec. 2025
The difference between these two performances makes the romance even more unbelievable, as the audience ponders what this seemingly confident woman sees in this immature putz.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 15 Dec. 2025
Baby ponders love in all its rejuvenating and off-putting shapes, sweating with a husband and father’s devotion but sometimes with a son’s pining for a closer connection with an oaklike and unreadable elder.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
Now, where there is a beautiful thing, there will be someone who ponders how it might be leveraged for their own benefit.
—Hazlitt, 19 Nov. 2025
Randy Myers, Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2026
While Raspadori ponders whether to accept Roma’s offer and leave Atletico just six months after his move to Spain from Napoli, Gasperini has to make do-and-mend.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Gazing out the window on approach to Salt Lake City’s sprawling semi-new international transportation edifice, Lamar Skeeter ponders his trail mirroring the rugged terrain surrounding the area below.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 11 Jan. 2026
Roberts doesn’t offer much empathy for the poor, diseased critter other than a pause when Ben momentarily ponders his reflection in a pool as Adrian Johnston’s eerie synth-piano score tinkles.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Small businesses throughout the Golden State, especially those in rural or underserved communities, are on pins and needles as the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) ponders Verizon’s acquisition of Frontier.
—Javier Palomarez, Sacbee.com, 19 Dec. 2025
The difference between these two performances makes the romance even more unbelievable, as the audience ponders what this seemingly confident woman sees in this immature putz.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 15 Dec. 2025
Baby ponders love in all its rejuvenating and off-putting shapes, sweating with a husband and father’s devotion but sometimes with a son’s pining for a closer connection with an oaklike and unreadable elder.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
Now, where there is a beautiful thing, there will be someone who ponders how it might be leveraged for their own benefit.
—Hazlitt, 19 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ponders
Verb
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Across town, Geert contemplates his situation differently.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Feb. 2026
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The coaches’ employment contracts contained language that incorporates the league constitution and contemplates arbitration for disputes involving coaches and their teams.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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To better reflect real-world flying conditions, the selection also considers operational challenges such as steep gradients, surrounding terrain, tidal dependence, and the absence of a safe go-around.—
Karina Acharya,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Feb. 2026
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But according to Vana, Amazon determines the order of search results using a formula that considers many factors, including the number of reviews and the average rating — suggesting that more reviews and higher ratings help get a seller's products placed higher in search results.—
James Doubek,
NPR,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This style of theater both enlightens and entertains, each actor stepping out of the ensemble inside Kelleher’s direction that teeters on the edge of heavy-handidness without ever getting there.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2026
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Take the quiz here … EGG DROP — Chef entertains food festival crowd with unexpected crack.—
,
FOXNews.com,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Springfield too often debates theory while communities experience consequences.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
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As of Tuesday, city staff confirmed both hotels have active liquor licenses and are able to serve alcohol as the council debates the renewal.—
Ashley Grams,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ponders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ponders. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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