ruminating

verb

present participle of ruminate
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

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 ruminating So, Otto sits at the end of the counter, ruminating on the past weeks, then downs his glass of Gordon’s. — Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2026 Yet there was Devers, ruminating as if the fate of the Giants’ (57-82) season rested on this Tuesday night in Pittsburgh. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 2 Sep. 2026 Carmy is still figuring out his next move, interviewing for an internship at an architecture firm while ruminating on his experience at the Bear. — Jen Chaney, Vulture, 26 June 2026 The adult animation follows the trials and tribulations of a group of feral British cats from all walks of society, who seek companionship while ruminating on everyday life. — Rick Ellis, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 Shaboozey, who cites Pink Floyd’s surreal The Wall as one of his favorite albums and movies, had been ruminating on the idea for more than a decade. — Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 8 June 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruminating
  1. pondering
  2. contemplating
  3. debating
  4. considering
  5. studying
  6. entertaining
  7. questioning
  8. weighing
Verb
  • Newsom, who is pondering a 2028 presidential campaign, and the two men vying to replace him — Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton — oppose it.
    — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • In the stands, fans murmured beneath their breath, wondering what new math the Kiffin’s successor could be pondering.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of pondering
Verb
  • The offer came at a time when Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and many other public school districts in Florida, have closed or consolidated schools and are contemplating even more closures.
    — Austin Horn, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Players sitting on the fence contemplating whether or not to commit to LIV Golf's future will be allowed to sit a bit longer.
    — Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of contemplating
Verb
  • Kedia wasn’t surprised by the unanimous interest rate decision because the FOMC had been debating higher interest rates for months.
    — Taylor Millard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2026
  • While the two candidates were technically debating each other, the most prominent name onstage wasn’t there and isn’t on the ballot.
    — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of debating
Verb
  • Daines and Merkley also want committee leaders to have a one-day fast-track for considering popular bills with strong committee support from both parties that would allow those bills to pass the Senate with a simple majority.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2026
  • If one or both don’t play, the Dolphins could pull off the upset, considering the Bengals ranks 31st in the league in rushing.
    — Keven Lerner, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of considering
Verb
  • By studying what happens when these energetic particles collide with target materials, scientists can investigate the shapes and sizes of atomic nuclei.
    — Andrea Richard, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2026
  • While making Sunrise on the Reaping in Spain, Zada and costar Mckenna Grace burned through the night rewatching the original Hunger Games films, studying every line and gesture.
    — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of studying
Verb
  • In an interview with CNBC Sport on September 10 in Australia, Commissioner Roger Goodell emphasized the league wants stronger protections before entertaining the possibility of a tie up with the new markets.
    — Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • There’s at least one animal in Ben Affleck’s sixth featue as director, and that’s the elephant in the room — or lumbering around the Los Angeles locations — of this passably entertaining Netflix crime thriller.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of entertaining
Verb
  • Videos first obtained by ABC News showed that Cornell investigators in the following days began questioning witnesses about a potential coverup by the fraternity brothers.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • There was angst among fans about Suamataia being held from the game, followed by blowback for questioning coach Andy Reid’s decision.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of questioning
Verb
  • The city’s zoning administrator is now weighing whether to revoke the operator’s permit.
    — Blanca Begert, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Beyond apprenticeships, the mayor’s childcare office is weighing opportunities for assistant teachers to become lead teachers, and partnerships with CUNY and other higher education institutions on more traditional models.
    — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of weighing

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ruminating
rumination
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Cite this Entry

“Ruminating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruminating. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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