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 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
Virgos are known for their analytical skills, but can be prone to taking the analysis a little too far and ruminating over matters.
—Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 19 Aug. 2025
Don’t waste time or energy ruminating on your mistakes.
—Anne Sugar, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
The intimate sketches of the private pop artist depict him socializing, ruminating, and — in one shot — standing shirtless and vulnerable, his scars visible from a 1968 assassination attempt.
—Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 12 Aug. 2025
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
Virgos are known for their analytical skills, but can be prone to taking the analysis a little too far and ruminating over matters.
—Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 19 Aug. 2025
Don’t waste time or energy ruminating on your mistakes.
—Anne Sugar, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
The intimate sketches of the private pop artist depict him socializing, ruminating, and — in one shot — standing shirtless and vulnerable, his scars visible from a 1968 assassination attempt.
—Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruminating
Verb
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The Forest owner has been pondering his options That is not unusual — the Greek shipping magnate always likes to have a plan B in place.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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That’s 16 days of public silence and private plotting — 16 days of preparing for a case management conference and pondering motions and strategizing for the discovery process and delving into every facet of this year-long case that has no end in sight.—
Jon Wilner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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With John Cena set to retire, many people are contemplating who his opponent should be in his final match.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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Inside, Archimedes begins contemplating the Universe beyond the Earth, and starts recounting various ideas about what its nature could be.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Oxford Union debating society announced Tuesday the ouster of President-elect George Abaraonye after reported comments celebrating the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.—
Lexi Lonas Cochran,
The Hill,
22 Oct. 2025
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What To Know Measure 26-260 was crafted by the Portland City Council and referred to voters in June after months of debating how to present it to residents.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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According to the agenda for the organization’s regular meeting, the board is considering James Sly, the current chief executive officer of the East County Economic Development Corporation, to serve as its next leader.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Nov. 2025
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The democratic control of a new technology like AI requires public deliberation, and such public deliberation might seem impossible considering the view held by many (and reinforced by the tech industry) that AI is very complicated.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
By studying quenching mechanics at the microscopic level, Graffiedi aims to enable faster refueling in orbit.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Rucci’s journey into fashion began unexpectedly while studying philosophy and literature at Temple University.—
Tonya Blazio-Licorish,
Footwear News,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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On the pitch, Barca are competing again, entertaining again.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Located on the top floor of a historic 1920s building right by Fulton Market, this prime Airbnb is great for entertaining.—
Gabriela Ulloa,
Architectural Digest,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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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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The seams between bricks of any wall, some of the blocks weighing tons, feel as smooth to the touch as a faint scar.—
Ryan Knighton,
AFAR Media,
31 Oct. 2025
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If someone is out there weighing that kind of choice, Lutz urged them to call 211 and ask about whether there’s financial help available.—
Cathie Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ruminating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruminating. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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