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 Virgos are known for their analytical skills, but can be prone to taking the analysis a little too far and ruminating over matters. Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 19 Aug. 2025 They’re left to ruminate in isolation instead. Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 18 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 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
  • While vocal over the years about his aversion to sell, take on a business partner or publicly list the company, rumors about Armani contemplating forming a foundation first emerged in 2012.
    Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Conducting compensation negotiations with a team is only one of relevant services contemplated by the SPAC.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But Lecornu has run into some controversy in the past for entertaining far-right leader Marine Le Pen at a secret dinner to discuss Ukraine last year.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Alongside the rise of YouTube Golf, a number of entertaining golf podcasts now exist — so this threesome has their work cut out for them.
    Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Even the assassination of political figures is not the same thing as just being shot in the throat for the crime of debating issues in the public square.
    J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 13 Sep. 2025
  • As the Fed debates its next move, remember that Warren Buffett isn’t trying to guess tomorrow’s stock chart.
    Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Technical reliability is a make-or-break factor when considering industrial integration.
    Peter Bendor-Samuel, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The will also states that priority should be given to luxury giant LVMH, L'Oreal, EssilorLuxottica or other groups, Reuters reported, adding that heirs should consider other fashion and luxury companies with which Armani's company has commercial ties for a sale.
    Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • One of those unique risk factors is thought to be the hormone fluctuations of menopause, leading researchers to study whether hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which can level the hormonal playing field, might help.
    Erica Sloan, SELF, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Acting was a career shift for Tillman, who was a pre-med student in college studying to be an orthopedic surgeon.
    Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 15 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ruminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruminate. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

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