as in to ponder
to give serious and careful thought to
the minister hoped that the congregation would spend the remainder of the week ruminating the message of his sermon
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Recent Examples of ruminate
However, in its second episode, dedicated to the limitations of Sir Henry Muck (Kit Harington) and Yasmin’s (Marisa Abela) newfound marital bliss, the financial drama ruminates on generational trauma and the grace partners afford each other in times of crisis.
—
Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 18 Jan. 2026
Slone has a much softer and more plaintive voice and, judging from his finely wrought songs, a tendency to contend with heartbreak not by going out and raging but by staying in and ruminating.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 15 Jan. 2026
Few of them will get it, because Americans know that military action, especially to overthrow a regime, is a risky business, and certainly not something to ruminate about in the middle of the night.
—Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2026
For instance, research finds that walking in nature results in diminished activation in the area of the brain associated with sadness and ruminating thoughts.
—Stacy Shaw, Fortune, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ruminate
Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 18 Jan. 2026
Slone has a much softer and more plaintive voice and, judging from his finely wrought songs, a tendency to contend with heartbreak not by going out and raging but by staying in and ruminating.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 15 Jan. 2026
Few of them will get it, because Americans know that military action, especially to overthrow a regime, is a risky business, and certainly not something to ruminate about in the middle of the night.
—Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2026
For instance, research finds that walking in nature results in diminished activation in the area of the brain associated with sadness and ruminating thoughts.
—Stacy Shaw, Fortune, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ruminate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruminate
Verb
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All these are questions not unlike the one faced by the late Jerry Buss in 1981 when pondering the notion of hiring a kid who never had coached at any level.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
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During the show’s 2023 Broadway run, SRO audiences were encouraged to dance in place and ponder despots at the same time — a greater disassotiative challenge than walking and chewing gum at the same time, but hardly an insurmountable one.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Nvidia's $30 billion investment in OpenAI is different from what was contemplated in September, but the company could still decide to invest in subsequent rounds that align with that framework, the person said.—
Ashley Capoot,
CNBC,
20 Feb. 2026
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In the play, which begins as historic epic and becomes, for Goethe, increasing personal and interior, Egmont gains perspective on the complexities of his place in politics by contemplating nature and being.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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For families La Sultana Oualidia welcomes guests of all ages, and offers a diverse range of activities to keep younger travelers entertained.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Feb. 2026
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If the federal government would stop putting on a violent show intended to suppress opposition and entertain their true believers, Pretti and Good would be alive.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Treasury yields drifted higher but the move was contained as investors debated the merits of growth versus inflation.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
21 Feb. 2026
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High-stakes debate on whether to renovate or relocate shifts to new phase for mayor and council members.—
Everton Bailey Jr,
Dallas Morning News,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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All the more impressive considering Stockton, who was about 175 pounds when started high school, didn’t even make varsity as a freshman.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
22 Feb. 2026
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The council will also consider longterm funding plans for the undergrounding project during its first meeting in March.—
Luke Harold,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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At the time of his death, he was focused on studying comets and astroids that could pose a hazard to Earth.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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The team studied how Fe-SMA bonds with UHPFRC, and attempted to combine the two materials.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ruminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruminate. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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