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
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Recent Examples of ruminates
The film ruminates on guilt, familial strife, and trauma with Ball’s signature bittersweet touch, earning a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Television Movie.
—
Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Feb. 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
Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Feb. 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
Verb
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Meanwhile, Derek’s mother-in-law visits, and Paul ponders his legacy.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
1 Mar. 2026
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Expect a meditative film that ponders big issues with a poet-like touch.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Their bond, forged by the exotic nature of their remote landscape, begins to change as Lily enters her teenage years and Bodhi contemplates friendship and family beyond his reptilian counterparts.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
12 Mar. 2026
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The initiative contemplates the creation of a Guatemalan Film Institute, a Film Promotion Fund, a Film Commission operating as a one-stop shop for international productions, a National Cinematheque and a National Higher School of Cinema, among others.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This style of theater both enlightens and entertains, each actor stepping out of the ensemble inside Kelleher’s direction that teeters on the edge of heavy-handidness without ever getting there.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2026
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Take the quiz here … EGG DROP — Chef entertains food festival crowd with unexpected crack.—
,
FOXNews.com,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Jan Steyn considers the literary lessons of gout.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Mar. 2026
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With misinformation rife and many turning to alternative sources for their news, politics and history fixes, the BBC is faced with a significant challenge, and big ticket swings such as today’s commissions are what the broadcaster considers its answer.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Instead, Europe often debates sovereignty while buying dependency.—
Wolfgang Oels,
Fortune,
1 Mar. 2026
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Springfield too often debates theory while communities experience consequences.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The humanoid stands about 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighs roughly 175–180 pounds (79–82 kilograms), and is intended for tasks such as reconnaissance, bomb disposal, and other high-risk ground operations.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Mar. 2026
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That divergence is largely the result of the fact that the consumer price index weighs housing inflation more heavily, and the rate of increases in rent has slowed alongside the overall economy.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ruminates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruminates. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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