ponder

verb

ˈpän-dər How to pronounce ponder (audio)
Definition of pondernext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Here’s one worth pondering: What if U.S. District Court Judge Claudia Wilken had never been involved in shaping the NCAA’s relationship with federal antitrust laws? —Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 4 Apr. 2025 Scientists have pondered the purpose of those membranes, and a 2022 study concluded that this membrane was crucial for producing sounds. —ArsTechnica, 3 Apr. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for ponder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ponder
  1. contemplate
  2. consider
  3. entertain
  4. debate
  5. study
  6. question
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
  • 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
Definition of consider
Verb
  • In a sweet moment shared by the NBA, Clark was seen entertaining two of White's sons, bringing them into frame to wave at the camera when she was captured on the Jumbotron.
    — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 20 Apr. 2025
  • The change is one that has left Morton suitably entertained.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of entertain
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
Definition of debate
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
  • Anson could be a young Rupert Everett’s bookish brother, and has clearly studied every wince and eye flutter in Hugh Grant’s arsenal, combining such tools into a 21st-century version of the Mr. Darcy archetype.
    — Peter Debruge, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of study
Verb
  • Thus, some investors are questioning if high-performing AI models really cost as much as advertised.
    — Tomas Milar, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Legal experts are questioning the authority of the Trump administration to pause the federal funding.
    — Selina Wang, ABC News, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of question

Browse Nearby Words

pond
ponder
ponderable
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Cite this Entry

“Ponder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ponder. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of ponder for Spanish Speakers

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