as in reasoning
having the ability to reason
it's surprising to find thinking people who believe such nonsense
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in meditation
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in believing
to have as an opinion
I think we should wait for someone to come help us out
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 thinking
Kate Morgan, The Cut, 20 Apr. 2018
Sometimes surgeries require more thinking beforehand.
—Erin Blakemore, Washington Post, 15 Oct. 2017
Lauren Pastrana, CBS News, 4 June 2026
Researchers in cognitive science have long theorized that conceptual thinking is informed by how the human body looks and moves.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 4 June 2026
George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 May 2026
This development could enable robots to stop blindly calculating and start thinking by teaching machines to distill experiences into reusable knowledge.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for thinking
Adjective
These are the most vulnerable parts [of the brain] and can be easily damaged, so your libido can run a bit more wild when it’s not being curtailed by the higher thinking part of the brain.
—Kate Morgan, The Cut, 20 Apr. 2018
Sometimes surgeries require more thinking beforehand.
—Erin Blakemore, Washington Post, 15 Oct. 2017
Noun
The game, which was developed in mid-19th century China, requires mental focus and strategic thinking, providing a perfect workout for the brain.
—Lauren Pastrana, CBS News, 4 June 2026
Researchers in cognitive science have long theorized that conceptual thinking is informed by how the human body looks and moves.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 4 June 2026
Verb
Like all sensible, forward-thinking clubs, Newcastle keep a database of potential managerial targets in case the worst happens, yet during a moment of trepidation, no approaches were made or feelers put out.
—George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 May 2026
This development could enable robots to stop blindly calculating and start thinking by teaching machines to distill experiences into reusable knowledge.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for thinking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thinking
Noun
-
Wellness classes are complimentary and include yoga, pilates, sound bath healing, meditation, and HIIT workouts.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Effective CEOs can attend to their mental and emotional states through intentional self-care, exercise, journaling, meditation, and by blocking out time to truly connect with those most important to them, no matter what.—
Julian Hayes II,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Both were driven by the same mistake of believing the narrative before proving the economics.—
Hebron Sher,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
-
Doctors and health professionals also strongly supported changing the name, believing that the benefits would outweigh the risks.—
Melanie Cree,
The Conversation,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
For most of investing history, that discomfort was rational.—
Ethan Stone,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
-
For all the prior cinematic depictions of storming bunkers and camaraderie under fire, Pressure offers us the quiet heroism of rational restraint in the figure of James Stagg, who weathered his inner storms and bore the courage to be disliked.—
Daniel Jonah Wolpert,
NPR,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Those could be be relationships, creative endeavors and the contemplation of big questions about life.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
Following several years of contemplation and asceticism, Dorje hopes to return to the United States to teach in Minnesota's Buddhist community at the Nyingmapa Taksham Buddhist Center.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
But the brothers - who like to keep their followers guessing - have yet to confirm their attendance at the forum.—
Andrew Osborn,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
-
Many of us had been guessing that the centerpiece shoot-out confrontation of the third season would be between Laurie and Alamo’s crews.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
Future EVs may function as intelligent assistants, constantly analyzing conditions and offering guidance in the background.—
James Morris,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
-
The Brazilian stands at 183cm (6ft) and is very intelligent at using his body to maximise any attempt to win the ball.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
Noun
-
Is that a reflection of current global production, or a deliberate choice by the selection committee?—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
4 June 2026
-
This lack of planning exacerbated many of the very conditions the current plan now seeks to address, a reflection of both lack of funds to maintain schools but also a lack of process by district facilities’ managers to meaningfully address building conditions after the 2013 closures.—
Julia McWilliams,
The Conversation,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 14 states are considering legislation that would pause or ban new data centers.—
Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
-
Although some of these drones get through, resulting in civilian casualties and damage to homes and infrastructure, analysts at RUSI and CSIS say that Ukraine’s air defenses are doing remarkably well considering the sheer size of Russia’s attacks.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Thinking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thinking. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
