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 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruminates
  1. ponders
  2. contemplates
  3. entertains
  4. considers
  5. debates
  6. weighs
Verb
  • While Tavares coach Gavin Jones ponders how to replace 18 transfer players heading into the season, just down Route 441, new Eustis coach Tanner Harris is pumping some energy into a program that has had four coaches in three years.
    — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Vieira ponders the dilemma from his own perspective as a coach, having had spells in charge at New York City, Nice, Crystal Palace, Strasbourg and Genoa.
    — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 15 June 2026
Definition of ponders
Verb
  • The series contemplates topics like shady lending practices by financial institutions — something that will resonate deeply with today’s economy — and the ethics of placing oneself in a news story.
    — Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The new agreement reportedly contemplates enormous amounts of private investment, but even supporters acknowledge that major increases in production could take years.
    — Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of contemplates
Verb
  • Emma Woodhouse entertains herself by meddling in the romantic affairs of her neighbors.
    — Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Steel Pier still entertains families, and the wooden walkway remains a tradition for many families.
    — Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of entertains
Verb
  • Fani, a Brentwood artist, considers her collection an extension of her art and has embellished some with Swarovski crystals.
    — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • In six states, Medicare beneficiaries must get preapproval for a few treatments that CMS considers to have little clinical benefit and to be susceptible to fraud or waste, including skin substitutes and knee arthroscopy for arthritis.
    — Stephanie Armour, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of considers
Verb
  • For now, retailers can keep selling the drinks and consumers can continue buying them, but distributors may become increasingly reluctant to replenish inventory while Congress debates the category's future.
    — Brandon Gomez, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2026
  • While his party debates abolishing prisons and owning grocery stores, Democratic Mayor Daniel Lurie is cleaning up his city.
    — Kate Andrews, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of debates
Verb
  • Ivan's driver, a cheerful man in a balaclava, tells them that the bus weighs seventy thousand pounds.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Its core commitments are voluntary and informed participation, minimization of harm to participants, confidentiality and prior approval by an institutional review board that weighs risk against scientific value.
    — Arie Perliger, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 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 6 Sep. 2026.

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