Synonyms of contemplate

contemplate

verb

ˈkän-təm-ˌplāt 

1

as in to ponder

to give serious and careful thought to

she contemplated the problem for several hours before reaching a decision

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ponder
• consider
• entertain
• debate
• study
• question
• weigh
• explore
• eye
• analyze
• ruminate
• review
• meditate
• cogitate
• think (about or over)
• deliberate
• look at
• mull (over)
• wrestle (with)
• revolve
• chew on
• pore (over)
• perpend
• chew over
• digest
• turn
• kick around
• believe
• reminisce
• cudgel one's brains (about)
• reflect (on or upon)
• beat one's brains out (about)
• conclude
• reason
• muse (upon)
• opine
• speculate (about)
• absorb
• conceive
• dwell (on or upon)
• fret (about or over)
• brood (about or over)
• fixate (on or upon)
• second-guess
• assimilate
• obsess (about or over)
• drink (in)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignore
• slight
• disregard
• overlook
• reject
• dismiss
• pooh-pooh
• pooh

2

as in to intend

to have in mind as a purpose or goal

he waited patiently, contemplating revenge all the while

Synonyms & Similar Words

• intend
• plan
• hope
• mean
• look
• go
• wish
• try
• propose
• aim
• purpose
• calculate
• design
• meditate
• consider
• allow
• attempt
• aspire
• purport
• ponder
• figure on
• dream
• struggle
• strive
• debate
• endeavor
• accomplish
• scheme
• achieve
• perform
• execute
• effect
• mull (over)
• plot

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb contemplate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of contemplate are consider, study, and weigh. While all these words mean "to think about in order to arrive at a judgment or decision," contemplate stresses focusing one's thoughts on something but does not imply coming to a conclusion or decision.

contemplate the consequences of refusing

When would consider be a good substitute for contemplate?

The words consider and contemplate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, consider may suggest giving thought to in order to reach a suitable conclusion, opinion, or decision.

refused even to consider my proposal

When might study be a better fit than contemplate?

While in some cases nearly identical to contemplate, study implies sustained purposeful concentration and attention to details and minutiae.

study the plan closely

When is it sensible to use weigh instead of contemplate?

The words weigh and contemplate can be used in similar contexts, but weigh implies attempting to reach the truth or arrive at a decision by balancing conflicting claims or evidence.

weigh the pros and cons of the case

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of contemplate

But a proposal leaked from the Senate GOP’s closed-door drafting sessions on an Obamacare repeal bill may put that notion to rest: The Senate is contemplating a change in Medicaid that would cut it even more than the $830-billion proposed by the House. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2025

With Day 2 of the selection process set to begin at 7 p.m. Friday, here’s a second- and third-round mock draft to contemplate before the picks start rolling again: Panthers Day 2 mock draft: Morgan makes a trade The Panthers enter Day 2 with a long wait ahead of them. —Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 25 Apr. 2025

Dwight doesn’t want to contemplate her family’s future without Head Start as President Donald Trump’s administration weighs a budget proposal to eliminate the 60-year-old federal program. —Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 25 Apr. 2025

To see why, contemplate a recent Wall Street Journal headline concerning Meta. —John Tamny, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025