Synonyms of ruminate

ruminate

verb

ˈrü-mə-ˌnāt 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ponder
• contemplate
• entertain
• debate
• consider
• study
• question
• weigh
• explore
• cogitate
• eye
• analyze
• meditate
• review
• think (about or over)
• deliberate
• look at
• revolve
• chew on
• mull (over)
• wrestle (with)
• pore (over)
• perpend
• chew over
• turn
• digest
• reminisce
• kick around
• reflect (on or upon)
• beat one's brains out (about)
• cudgel one's brains (about)
• muse (upon)
• opine
• believe
• conclude
• reason
• speculate (about)
• absorb
• dwell (on or upon)
• conceive
• fixate (on or upon)
• fret (about or over)
• brood (about or over)
• assimilate
• second-guess
• drink (in)
• obsess (about or over)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignore
• slight
• disregard
• overlook
• dismiss
• reject
• pooh-pooh

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

Recent Examples of ruminate

Shanahan ruminated on that topic in his news conference following the 49ers 48-27 win over the Indianapolis Colts Monday. —Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 23 Dec. 2025

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, The Conversation, 18 Dec. 2025

As part of saluting the filmmakers, actors, and artisans responsible for some of the most exciting cinematic works of the year, Thomas next ruminated on the true meaning of both activism and, ahem, IndieWire. —Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 5 Dec. 2025

Across seven tracks, Tems ruminates on power, love, spirituality, mixed perceptions, and complicated feelings. —Nelson C.j, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2025

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!