Synonym Chooser

How is the word ponder different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of ponder are meditate, muse, and ruminate. While all these words 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

In what contexts can meditate take the place of ponder?

While the synonyms meditate and ponder are close in meaning, meditate implies a definite focusing of one's thoughts on something so as to understand it deeply.

meditated on the meaning of life

When would muse be a good substitute for ponder?

The synonyms muse and ponder are sometimes interchangeable, but muse suggests a more or less focused daydreaming as in remembrance.

mused upon childhood joys

When is it sensible to use ruminate instead of ponder?

The words ruminate and ponder are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

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 ponder Comments Eddie learns that Conrad is his father, prompting him to disappear and ponder his future place in the crime family. Matt Cabral, EW.com, 1 June 2025 While splinters were already forming, a trio of Grammy nominations nevertheless followed - with Potter left to ponder what could’ve/should’ve been. Jim Ryan, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025 Alas, Stamkos chose to sign with the Nashville Predators for four years at $8 million a season — a deal that looks somewhat regrettable on both sides 11 months later, with Nashville crashing into the NHL’s basement and now pondering its own retool. James Mirtle, New York Times, 20 May 2025 California Democrats are now pondering the unthinkable. Editorial, Boston Herald, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for ponder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ponder
Verb
  • Instead of a revolution, this new approach contemplated a middle way between capitalism and socialism, one premised on a cooperative relationship between workers and management.
    Time, Time, 29 May 2025
  • Though the film doesn’t provide a satisfactory resolution to these threads, the time the audience spends contemplating them is mostly enjoyable.
    Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • In addition, a Nissan spokesman confirmed that the company is considering offering EREV options in its mid-size and larger SUVs.
    Joe D'Allegro, CNBC, 30 May 2025
  • ISPs feared that their court loss would lead many other states to impose similar requirements, and some states are now considering legislation modeled on New York's.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • Local entertainers, from hip-hop artists to visual artists, entertained the crowd for four hours, showing off their talents.
    Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 6 June 2025
  • The audience is pulled in, and ultimately entertained, not just by the impeccable performances, but via an inside look at average, everyday people.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • While the cause and eventual outcome can be debated, the immediate impact was felt with shares of Tesla falling 14% on Thursday.
    JJ Kinahan, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
  • The Senate passed the bill on a vote of 19 to 13, which happened more than 16 hours after the chamber was scheduled to debate it.
    Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 5 June 2025
Verb
  • This can be helpful for studying rare diseases, in particular.6 Cost: DCTs also reduce the cost of conducting a study because there is no central facility to manage.
    Carrie Madormo, Health, 31 May 2025
  • Whether Trump truly studied Mayweather’s moves or simply mirrored them instinctively, the similarities are clear—and Lampley might be one of the only people to call it out this directly.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Verb
  • On Tuesday, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that COVID-19 shots are no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women — a move immediately questioned by several public health experts.
    Carla K. Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025
  • Inside the car were three people identified as Yasmin Cobb, 18, Josiah Sneed, 21 and Clifton Ray Foster Jr., 25, who all have Texas addresses listed on their arrest reports All three were detained and taken to the HSI office for questioning.
    Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 28 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ponder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ponder. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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