Synonym Chooser

How is the word ruminate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of ruminate are meditate, muse, and ponder. While all these words mean "to consider or examine attentively or deliberately," ruminate implies going over the same matter in one's thoughts again and again but suggests little of either purposive thinking or rapt absorption.

ruminated on past disappointments

When is it sensible to use meditate instead of ruminate?

While in some cases nearly identical to ruminate, meditate implies a definite focusing of one's thoughts on something so as to understand it deeply.

meditated on the meaning of life

When might muse be a better fit than ruminate?

The synonyms muse and ruminate are sometimes interchangeable, but muse suggests a more or less focused daydreaming as in remembrance.

mused upon childhood joys

When is ponder a more appropriate choice than ruminate?

Although the words ponder and ruminate have much in common, ponder implies a careful weighing of a problem or, often, prolonged inconclusive thinking about a matter.

pondered the course of action

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 ruminate But his recollection led Qualley to start ruminating on just how far the pair's fiery connection could take them. Emlyn Travis Published, EW.com, 15 Aug. 2025 The intimate sketches of the private pop artist depict him socializing, ruminating, and — in one shot — standing shirtless and vulnerable, his scars visible from a 1968 assassination attempt. Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 12 Aug. 2025 Wednesday is ruminating on the big questions — who faked those patients’ deaths? Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2025 So a whole life, just waiting on death, ruminating on it, anticipating it. Literary Hub, 21 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for ruminate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruminate
Verb
  • In her conversation with Interview, Peters pondered whether the next Great American Novelist could be trans.
    Grace Byron, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Here are some points to ponder over based on the insights from this emerging research.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • That same year the Clippers and Aspiration signed deals that contemplated a $300 million partnership for Aspiration to sponsor the Clippers’ arena and the team’s jersey patch.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The film’s title carries particular significance for Yoon, who has been contemplating it for 15 years.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice.
    Stephanie Kuzydym, The Courier-Journal, 3 Sep. 2025
  • The top streamer surprised supporters with an appearance from legendary hitmaker Mariah Carey as the two spent a fun evening chopping it up and entertaining his viewers together.
    Regina Cho, VIBE.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The students in the club participated in National History Day, a competition where students present a topic of their interest, and the YMCA Youth and Government Program’s Model Legislative Session, where students debate bills at the Arizona Capitol.
    Erick Trevino, AZCentral.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Trials make disputes public, and jury trials allow citizens to debate the issues and return verdicts that reflect their community.
    Richard Lorren Jolly, The Conversation, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Still, that isn’t a factor when considering how hard and inspired the Broncos played in front of a ninth straight sellout crowd at Albertsons Stadium.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 6 Sep. 2025
  • First things first — 1831 is a ludicrously early start date here, considering England didn’t play their first international until 1872.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The 6-foot-6 centre who studies Tage Thompson YouTube videos in his spare time could be a dominant junior hockey player this season.
    Murat Ates, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • For Missouri, 2022 was such a deadly year — 43 children under the age of 18 died from the illicit drug — that former DSS director Robert Knodell created the Fentanyl Case Review Subcommittee, which was a panel of experts who studied those cases.
    Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ruminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruminate. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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