as in contemplates
to give serious and careful thought to
I'm pondering whether or not I should join another committee
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 ponders
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
While Blank ponders all of that, Atlanta’s players were left trying to figure out how to make the best out of their final five games.
—Josh Kendall, New York Times, 1 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
Wyn Baptiste An acclaimed photographer of street protests ponders the effectiveness of his work, even as his images provoke palpable international reactions.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2025
Still, no one is ever confirmed as being in the tomb, and Debbie even ponders whether or not Danny is really dead.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Oct. 2025
Song broke out with her 2023 drama Past Lives, which follows a woman from Seoul, South Korea, who ponders her relationship with a childhood friend in the decades after her family immigrates to Canada and marries an American man in New York City.
—Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
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
While Blank ponders all of that, Atlanta’s players were left trying to figure out how to make the best out of their final five games.
—Josh Kendall, New York Times, 1 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
Wyn Baptiste An acclaimed photographer of street protests ponders the effectiveness of his work, even as his images provoke palpable international reactions.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2025
Still, no one is ever confirmed as being in the tomb, and Debbie even ponders whether or not Danny is really dead.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Oct. 2025
Song broke out with her 2023 drama Past Lives, which follows a woman from Seoul, South Korea, who ponders her relationship with a childhood friend in the decades after her family immigrates to Canada and marries an American man in New York City.
—Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ponders
Verb
-
The judge emphasized that the contract contemplates subscribers as simply those who are authorized to obtain programming, including Dish’s free services.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
6 Jan. 2026
-
As Notre Dame contemplates its relationship with the ACC after being left out of the College Football Playoff, head coach Marcus Freeman continues to be linked to openings in the NFL.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Modern medical sociology ultimately considers all societal issues to be health issues.—
Jennifer Singh,
The Conversation,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Anne Enright considers the aesthetics of Zohran Mamdani’s digital campaign.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
On nights when Nova’s feeling sleepy, Poppy happily entertains herself with her mountain of toys — or by spinning in happy circles to reclaim that elusive tail.—
Evan Moore
November 3,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The media entertains these questions, in an effort to intellectualize the ideologies underpinning the cult’s bloodlust.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Columbia University has found itself in major First Amendment debates − on and off campus.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
27 Oct. 2025
-
And now, many financial advisors are watching as Congress debates Affordable Care Act health insurance subsidies amid the government shutdown.—
Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,
CNBC,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ponders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ponders. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share