as in to contemplate
to give serious and careful thought to
I'm pondering whether or not I should join another committee
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 ponder
Late on, a swift-footed run into the penalty area and a low shot were not enough to bother Lloris, before a final free kick was curled too high in the waning minutes, leaving Miami with plenty to ponder on their journey home and ahead of Sunday’s MLS regular-season clash with Toronto FC.
—
Martin Rogers, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025
The question of nurture versus nature has been pondered in various ways since the phrase was coined in the 1800s, but local student artists are offering their own interpretation of the concepts of nurture and nature in an upcoming exhibition.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
Foreman’s departure forces us to ponder something else.
—Bill Dwyre, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2025
After the presentation, Nguyen answered some questions from this news organization regarding the tariffs, taxes and trade issues being pondered by the White House.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ponder
Martin Rogers, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025
The question of nurture versus nature has been pondered in various ways since the phrase was coined in the 1800s, but local student artists are offering their own interpretation of the concepts of nurture and nature in an upcoming exhibition.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
Foreman’s departure forces us to ponder something else.
—Bill Dwyre, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2025
After the presentation, Nguyen answered some questions from this news organization regarding the tariffs, taxes and trade issues being pondered by the White House.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ponder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ponder
Verb
-
While contemplating his former love and his future as a father, Massey conjures up the apparition of his beloved Catherine.—
Claire Franken,
TVLine,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Boasberg has been contemplating whether to hold any administration officials in contempt of court for ignoring his orders last month to turn around planes that were carrying the deportees to El Salvador.—
Alanna Durkin Richer,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The dispute ended up before the Supreme Court, and Chief Justice John Roberts put that deadline on hold to allow the high court more time to consider the matter.—
Jacob Rosen,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Legal representatives for Nelly urged the judge presiding over the case to consider delaying the dismissal and holding St. Lunatics accountable for the legal charges incurred.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Rahill has an endless supply of stories to entertain his passengers, from dicey black bear encounters to scraping mites off his hand with a knife after handling an armadillo.—
Uma Raja,
Sun Sentinel,
23 Mar. 2025
-
Chattanooga, Tennessee Equal parts city escape and nature retreat, Chattanooga offers tons of activities to keep your group entertained, plus great food and plenty of art.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
23 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Kicking things off, Samantha, who had been debating on leaving the show in the previous episode, managed to pull Farmer John, 25, aside for what proved to be a pivotal conversation.—
Dory Jackson,
People.com,
18 Apr. 2025
-
The origins of the pandemic have been hotly debated since its start.—
Youri Benadjaoud,
ABC News,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The forthcoming decision was welcomed by Gilles Bissonnette, the legal director of the ACLU of New Hampshire, who said that Liu can now continue studying and working computer science.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
10 Apr. 2025
-
In a pivotal scene in the season finale, Piper comes to the realization that her plan to stay at a monastery for a year and study Buddhism isn't going to work.—
Ralphie Aversa,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The shooting Saturday in Pocatello outraged the boy's family and neighbors as well as viewers online who questioned why the officers opened fire within about 12 seconds of exiting their patrol cars while making no apparent effort to de-escalate the situation or use less lethal weapons.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes The government has long had broad discretion to question and search noncitizens before admitting them into the country.—
Albert Sun,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ponder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ponder. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share