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
Now, in his late-middle age, a much more flexible Linklater is ruminating on other notorious artists.
—
David Sims, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025
A lot of it is simple, disciplined, ruminating in a way that won’t surprise anyone aware of his work with The National.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 30 Oct. 2025
But beta blockers only address the physical response to anxiety — not the ruminating or worrying.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Oct. 2025
Now Guillermo del Toro — cinema’s biggest proponent of big-screen fantasy — has completed his two-and-a-half-hour version, an epic adaptation with a blockbuster budget, a stamp of auteurship, and decades spent ruminating on the relevance of Shelley’s text in the modern era.
—Rory Doherty, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2025
These include identifying specific stressors, breaking large problems into manageable steps, and taking concrete action rather than ruminating on difficulties.
—Ashley Lutz, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2025
Black spent a lot of time ruminating on this before putting pen to paper.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
Though his characters tend to sidestep spirituality, Wilson doesn't and is often ruminating on life, death and whatever follows.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Justice notes these preoccupations often impact our wellness in subtle and overlooked ways that can add up to significant harm like sleep disturbance, irritability, uncontrolled worry, ruminating about the ‘what ifs,’ exhaustion, burnout, and over-functioning.
—Essence, 27 Aug. 2025
David Sims, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025
A lot of it is simple, disciplined, ruminating in a way that won’t surprise anyone aware of his work with The National.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 30 Oct. 2025
But beta blockers only address the physical response to anxiety — not the ruminating or worrying.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Oct. 2025
Now Guillermo del Toro — cinema’s biggest proponent of big-screen fantasy — has completed his two-and-a-half-hour version, an epic adaptation with a blockbuster budget, a stamp of auteurship, and decades spent ruminating on the relevance of Shelley’s text in the modern era.
—Rory Doherty, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2025
These include identifying specific stressors, breaking large problems into manageable steps, and taking concrete action rather than ruminating on difficulties.
—Ashley Lutz, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2025
Black spent a lot of time ruminating on this before putting pen to paper.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
Though his characters tend to sidestep spirituality, Wilson doesn't and is often ruminating on life, death and whatever follows.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Justice notes these preoccupations often impact our wellness in subtle and overlooked ways that can add up to significant harm like sleep disturbance, irritability, uncontrolled worry, ruminating about the ‘what ifs,’ exhaustion, burnout, and over-functioning.
—Essence, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruminating
Verb
-
In this bleak economic environment, professionals who have lost their jobs as a result of AI are likely pondering what their next career move should be; whether to transition into a new industry or profession, or how to beef up their arsenal of skills.—
Sawdah Bhaimiya,
CNBC,
8 Nov. 2025
-
All the activity on his street Sunday left Smith pondering whether anyone’s safe these days.—
Robb Murray,
Twin Cities,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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I'mPhaedra Trethan, back after a couple of college visits with my teenager, and contemplating this story over my coffee.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Why did Tara spend hundreds of days contemplating Thomas, hair styles, loneliness?—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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At a conference in 1969, when other physicists were debating the very existence of gravitational waves, Weber presented evidence supporting their direct detection.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
7 Nov. 2025
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In this Club Check-in, CNBC's Paulina Likos and Zev Fima break down big tech's massive artificial intelligence spending spree — debating whether these billion-dollar bets will drive long-term cost savings or weigh on near-term returns.—
Paulina Likos,Zev Fima,
CNBC,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Most teams could use a hitter like Schwarber in the lineup, especially considering how valuable slugging has become in the modern era.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Magistrate Judge Reagan Jameson, who handed down the sentence, noted that the defense and prosecution teams felt the plea deal was the best conclusion to come to, considering the jury could not come to a unanimous decision.—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
How Palestinian students adapted to studying in a genocide.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Mice are often used as models for studying neurological disorders, cancers, and vaccines because of their genetic similarity to humans.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Talks continue with Ellison, who is looking to buy the whole company, although WBD is also entertaining offers for parts.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Elsewhere, the main living area, featuring one of over four fireplaces throughout the hilltop retreat, provides the perfect setting for entertaining.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
He was extradited to Pennsylvania for questioning and when he was compelled to testify before a grand jury, Schrader invoked his Fifth Amendment right when asked about Carol Ann Dougherty's murder.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
-
As America gathers to watch his trial, Jax must contend with an ambitious new colleague, Bill Sterling (Sikora), and co-workers questioning her worth.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Just a few months ago, McKenna was weighing the two schools against each other, the Spartans finishing as runners-up in his historic recruiting war.—
Scott Wheeler,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Lawmakers are still weighing the costs to the state of doing so and have yet to decide on an approach, House Speaker Mike Moyle, R-Star, told the Idaho Statesman.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ruminating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruminating. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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