ruminates

verb

present tense third-person singular of ruminate
as in ponders
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

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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 ruminates The most tonally bizarre Apes movie ruminates on that question with a mixture of money-saving light comedy and mic-drop grimness. — Jesse Hassenger, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026 As such, the work ruminates on the gendered impact of the violence of war and the absence of the voices of women and children, ironically the most affected groups, in global strife. — Zehra Jumabhoy, Artforum, 25 June 2026 Delery ruminates on her wastrel youth. — Literary Hub, 9 Apr. 2026 The father ruminates about the terror inside the school. — Krys Malcolm Belc, Vogue, 3 Feb. 2026 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 Across seven tracks, Tems ruminates on power, love, spirituality, mixed perceptions, and complicated feelings. — Nelson C.j, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruminates
  1. ponders
  2. contemplates
  3. entertains
  4. considers
  5. debates
  6. weighs
Verb
  • As is often the case in both real life and the movies, this modern millennial lady ponders this very question all the time.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 13 Sep. 2026
  • Nacua, who expects to play against the 49ers as the NFL ponders a potential suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, returned to practice last week.
    — Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of ponders
Verb
  • Given the enormous threat AI poses to millions of jobs, the governor’s framework thoughtfully contemplates how to center Maryland workers in regulation of this technology.
    — Matt Post, Baltimore Sun, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Neither yet contemplates an agent that delegates to another agent at four in the morning.
    — Dr. Aditya Vikram Kashyap, Forbes.com, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of contemplates
Verb
  • Colorado has its own issues on and off the field, but every week, Sanders makes promises of one kind or another to fans or entertains or provides a memorable moment.
    — David Ubben, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Founded in 1961 and housed in a historic church, the theater entertains audiences in its 416-seat auditorium with musicals and plays produced by professionals from around the country.
    — Erika Ebsworth-Goold, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of entertains
Verb
  • Alongside India, Lauder considers the Middle East as having major long-term growth potential.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Outdoor safety As a parent herself, Arnaout considers street and pedestrian safety her primary concern on Halloween night.
    — Lina Ruiz October 9, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of considers
Verb
  • Co-star Tom Blyth will surely hold his own in Michael Arden’s production of a play that debates whether the rule of law in a democracy can fully protect us from a dangerous world.
    — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026
  • As the group debates players, Pitt reveals the new modus operandi for the Oakland Athletics.
    — Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of debates
Verb
  • Each superconducting magnet measures about 20 feet long and weighs more than 10,000 pounds.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Someone the brand has had no way to reach reads it, checks the coverage, weighs the cost and the patient leaves with the medicine that was prescribed—or with something else entirely.
    — Harshit Jain, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of weighs

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Cite this Entry

“Ruminates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruminates. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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