muse 1 of 2

noun

Definition of musenext
as in poet
a person who writes poetry where is the muse who will sing of this man's great and noble deeds?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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muse

2 of 2

verb

as in to ruminate

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of muse are meditate, ponder, and ruminate. While all these words mean "to consider or examine attentively or deliberately," muse suggests a more or less focused daydreaming as in remembrance.

mused upon childhood joys

When is it sensible to use meditate instead of muse?

While in some cases nearly identical to muse, meditate implies a definite focusing of one's thoughts on something so as to understand it deeply.

meditated on the meaning of life

When might ponder be a better fit than muse?

The meanings of ponder and muse largely overlap; however, ponder implies a careful weighing of a problem or, often, prolonged inconclusive thinking about a matter.

pondered the course of action

Where would ruminate be a reasonable alternative to muse?

While the synonyms ruminate and muse are close in meaning, 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 muse
Noun
The invaluable bond between artist and muse is exemplified by their abstracted slumbering embrace, her nude form dominating our gaze as her rosy flesh juxtaposes with the jade-sage background. —Natasha Gural, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025 But this time, her muse has changed — she’s no longer consumed by darkness but in control of it. —Kristen S. Hé, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
Some allies have even mused about pushing to make the April 2 anniversary of the tariffs a federal holiday next year. —Arkansas Online, 30 Mar. 2025 There were fifteen minutes of golf talk, with the President reminiscing about playing with Tiger Woods and Gary Player, and musing about how his Turnberry course, in Scotland, should host the British Open. —Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for muse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muse
  1. poet
  2. ruminate
  3. minstrel
  4. ponder
  5. meditate
  6. contemplate
  7. reflect
  8. project
Noun
  • Pearl, a poet, writer and environmental justice advocate, will be involved in the Poetic Tuesdays series and help curate interactive writing workshops.
    — Shawna Chen, Axios, 2 Apr. 2025
  • The poet and abolitionist John Greenleaf Whittier worked in Lowell himself for a time as editor of the Middlesex Standard and wrote his impressions of the city in his 1845 The Stranger in Lowell.
    — The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of poet
Verb
  • For these individuals, the mind — either slowly or immediately — transitions from ruminating the past to engaging in activities that help rebuild their life.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Still ruminating on Luka Dončić’s return to Dallas, where Marcus Thompson II wrote that some things in the NBA are worth more than titles.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of ruminate
Noun
  • One giant got distracted by a wandering minstrel One giant overslept and started late Clues: Brumm is not the fastest builder but didn’t oversleep.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Their audiences rejected elitist cultural norms and watched Shakespeare mixed in with minstrel songs and comedy acts on the same program.
    — Joanna Dee Das, The Conversation, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of minstrel
Verb
  • Fans took to the comments to both praise and ponder Trainor's new look.
    — Tracy Wright, Fox News, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Today, train stops are preserved with wooden shelters with picnic tables, encouraging hikers, bikers, and horseback riders to stop to ponder the trail’s rich railroad history.
    — Erin Gifford, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2025
Definition of ponder
Verb
  • Frank is seen meditating at a temple while Valentin and his robber friends party with a new group of ladies.
    — Colleen Kratofil, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • In long-term meditators, the PCC is quieter than in people who don’t meditate, explains Lazar.
    — Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of meditate
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
Definition of contemplate
Verb
  • Creator Darren Star reflected on the wig reveal seen around the world — when Kimberly reappears after the accident and de-wigs to display a giant brain surgery scar — to Entertainment Weekly in 2019.
    — EW.com, EW.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • This sentiment reflects what many professionals are seeking--not just blind hope but tangible pathways to growth and recognition.
    — Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of reflect
Verb
  • As an actor, Jordan will next be seen starring in Ryan Coogler’s original period horror film Sinners, which is projected to open to $40M+ over Easter weekend.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
  • By leveraging insights from historical and projected usage data, teams can strategically adjust workloads to enhance efficiency without sacrificing performance.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of project

Browse Nearby Words

muscularly
muse
mused
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Cite this Entry

“Muse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muse. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on muse

Nglish: Translation of muse for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about muse

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