as in pondering
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 ruminating
Boston, who serves as showrunner, creator, writer, and executive producer of the series has been ruminating on its terrors and delights for awhile now.
—
Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 27 Mar. 2026
The musical reimagines the Greek myths while ruminating on greed, labor and love.
—Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 25 Mar. 2026
The shooter appears to have been ruminating on the event since at least 2016, according to prosecutors at the time.
—Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 13 Mar. 2026
If your friend or family member is struggling to keep up with daily responsibilities, constantly ruminating about relationship issues, or expressing a sense of hopelessness, consider bringing it up, says Francesca Emma, a therapist in New York.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 24 Feb. 2026
Instead of ruminating in your head, Burns suggests writing things down so your mind can unwind.
—Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 16 Feb. 2026
Slone has a much softer and more plaintive voice and, judging from his finely wrought songs, a tendency to contend with heartbreak not by going out and raging but by staying in and ruminating.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 15 Jan. 2026
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, Fortune, 26 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
Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 27 Mar. 2026
The musical reimagines the Greek myths while ruminating on greed, labor and love.
—Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 25 Mar. 2026
The shooter appears to have been ruminating on the event since at least 2016, according to prosecutors at the time.
—Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 13 Mar. 2026
If your friend or family member is struggling to keep up with daily responsibilities, constantly ruminating about relationship issues, or expressing a sense of hopelessness, consider bringing it up, says Francesca Emma, a therapist in New York.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 24 Feb. 2026
Instead of ruminating in your head, Burns suggests writing things down so your mind can unwind.
—Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 16 Feb. 2026
Slone has a much softer and more plaintive voice and, judging from his finely wrought songs, a tendency to contend with heartbreak not by going out and raging but by staying in and ruminating.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 15 Jan. 2026
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, Fortune, 26 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruminating
Verb
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And maybe one of those records was… The bard of New England dares to get meaningful on this two-part song, which begins by pondering the mysteries of time and ends with a singalong ode to seasonal renewal.—
Brett Milano,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
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Distracted ends with Bruner fretting over money and pondering options.—
Will Hermes,
Rolling Stone,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Soaring gas prices would appear to have many Americans contemplating if now might be the time to add an EV, or possibly another, to the family fleet.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
7 Apr. 2026
-
After staring down 30, experiencing a career lull, and contemplating quitting music altogether, the singer staked her future in the industry on the fate of her fourth record.—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Now lawmakers are eyeing more regulations and debating how to balance both the state’s clean energy goals with the economic benefits data centers bring.—
Jessica Hill,
Fortune,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Buc-ee’s customers are debating a new policy requiring card payments at the pump.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Those that may be considering a merger, or those involved in consolidation or more complex ownership and governance arrangements should take note of these changes and seek the guidance of qualified counsel.—
Evonne Andris,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The parties involved in the deal have since been looking for ways to move forward with the sale, including considering plans to add a Chinese investor to the consortium.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Zach is hunched over a bowl of fruit-adjacent cereal studying a Calvin and Hobbes book lying open on the counter.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Apr. 2026
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RevMed expects to share data this quarter from a Phase 3 trial studying its pill versus chemotherapy in people whose cancer has spread and who have already tried one other treatment.—
Angelica Peebles,
CNBC,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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An adjacent nook offers space for a two-piece band, entertaining guests with live music both indoors and outside.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Enjoy redecorating and entertaining at home.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The individual is awaiting questioning by Ontario Police Department detectives who are en route.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
7 Apr. 2026
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The Microsoft co-founder is scheduled for questioning on June 10, the source said.—
Graham Kates,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Jackson County Legislature is currently weighing an ordinance that would set a 120-day moratorium on any land use applications that propose building a data center in county limits.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
9 Apr. 2026
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The underground excavation machine, weighing around 500 tons, is designed to dig vertical shafts through solid rock at depths previously difficult to reach using conventional mining techniques.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ruminating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruminating. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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