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
Marin directed some of his ire at Esalen, the epicenter of the Human Potential Movement and the playground, its critics scoffed, of those privileged enough to spend their days ruminating over the self.
—
Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026
Ricky Gervais will be in attendance to give a masterclass as creator and director of Netflix’s Alley Cats, the adult animation following a group of feral cats who seek companionship while ruminating on everyday life, accompanied by a sneak peek of the first two episodes.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 28 Apr. 2026
But Gernsback's innovation of collecting previously-diffuse bits of literature ruminating on scientific discovery or technological advancement in one place proved to be an idea with staying power.
—Chris Klimek, NPR, 25 Apr. 2026
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
Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026
Ricky Gervais will be in attendance to give a masterclass as creator and director of Netflix’s Alley Cats, the adult animation following a group of feral cats who seek companionship while ruminating on everyday life, accompanied by a sneak peek of the first two episodes.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 28 Apr. 2026
But Gernsback's innovation of collecting previously-diffuse bits of literature ruminating on scientific discovery or technological advancement in one place proved to be an idea with staying power.
—Chris Klimek, NPR, 25 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruminating
Verb
-
By mid-November, the administration was even pondering a 40-cent-per-gallon levy, with the proceeds eventually refunded to consumers.—
Joseph Thorndike,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
-
Would that every schoolchild could stand on the grassy knoll for a quiet minute, pondering the imponderables.—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
26 May 2026
Verb
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Introduced by Assemblyman Isaac Bryan, D-Culver City, the bill authorizes exemptions from state sales tax limits in Contra Costa and Los Angeles Counties—just as voters in both counties are contemplating increases to their local sales taxes.—
Sal Rodriguez,
Oc Register,
26 May 2026
-
Even before this year, employers were contemplating whether to cover GLP-1 drugs at all or whether to stop covering them altogether.—
Bruce Japsen,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
Verb
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Prime Video’s Off Campus has fans debating which Briar boy is the ultimate boyfriend fantasy.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
21 May 2026
-
But debating the legality of pot is sorely missing the point.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Osaka’s tennis shone, too, in a 6-3, 7-6(3) win that felt straightforward considering Siegemund’s ability to knock opponents off rhythm with her awkward, slice-laden game and use of tennis’ dark arts.—
Ava Wallace,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
-
Mecum hasn’t published an auction estimate, but the vehicle seems certain to fetch top dollar considering its pedigree.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Grant, of the Urban League, said the ordinance is the result of months of organizing, studying the issue and consulting with city officials and health advocates.—
Jack Harvel,
Kansas City Star,
22 May 2026
-
Ali Costellow is a rising senior studying visual journalism/photography and journalism at Western Kentucky University.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
Both can include entertaining younger children, organizing toys, and assisting during busy afternoons.—
VaNessa Duplessie,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
-
Fill in the gaps when entertaining with inexpensive stools or a wooden bench sourced at a thrift shop or online.—
Jenny Hughes,
The Spruce,
25 May 2026
Verb
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Taking a step back and questioning the way things are done can be an eye-opening experience that leads to surprising breakthroughs, especially as AI continues to bring about rapid change.—
David Henkin,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
-
Canadians aren’t alone in these feelings; other would-be foreign visitors have balked at the talk over the US annexing Greenland, questioning the NATO alliance, and the handling of tariffs or wars.—
Natasha Chen,
CNN Money,
25 May 2026
Verb
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Showing Claude and Danny weighing the pros and cons of parenthood while Ginny struggles to cope with single motherhood is a fun contrast.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
28 May 2026
-
Anniston Gage Jensen was born on March 4, 2026, weighing 6 pounds, 1 ounce.—
Wendy Grossman Kantor,
PEOPLE,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ruminating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruminating. Accessed 29 May. 2026.
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