ponder

verb

pon·​der ˈpän-dər How to pronounce ponder (audio)
pondered; pondering ˈpän-d(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce ponder (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to weigh in the mind : appraise
pondered their chances of success
2
: to think about : reflect on
pondered the events of the day

intransitive verb

: to think or consider especially quietly, soberly, and deeply
ponderer noun
Choose the Right Synonym for ponder

ponder, meditate, muse, ruminate mean to consider or examine attentively or deliberately.

ponder implies a careful weighing of a problem or, often, prolonged inconclusive thinking about a matter.

pondered the course of action

meditate implies a definite focusing of one's thoughts on something so as to understand it deeply.

meditated on the meaning of life

muse suggests a more or less focused daydreaming as in remembrance.

mused upon childhood joys

ruminate implies going over the same matter in one's thoughts again and again but suggests little of either purposive thinking or rapt absorption.

ruminated on past disappointments

Examples of ponder in a Sentence

He pondered the question before he answered. The team pondered their chances of success. We pondered whether we could afford the trip.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Once the news of her pending nuptials to ex-professional snowboarder Shaun White hit, inquiring minds were quick to ponder what her bridal beauty prep and wedding makeup looks might entail. Jessica Ourisman, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025 Exploring themes of empty consumerism, social isolation, and toxic masculinity before that phrase entered the cultural lexicon, American Psycho gives the audience a lot to ponder in addition to operating as an entertaining horror film. Johnny Loftus, EW.com, 14 Apr. 2025 Iran was pondering a response to President Trump’s letter seeking nuclear negotiations. Farnaz Fassihi, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025 Their hopes for asylum in the U.S. dashed, migrants in Tijuana ponder next moves. Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ponder

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French ponderer, from Latin ponderare to weigh, ponder, from ponder-, pondus weight — more at pendant

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ponder was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ponder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ponder. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

ponder

verb
pon·​der ˈpän-dər How to pronounce ponder (audio)
pondered; pondering -d(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce ponder (audio)
: to consider carefully
ponderer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on ponder

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