meditate

verb

ˈme-də-ˌtāt How to pronounce meditate (audio)
Definition of meditatenext
1
as in to contemplate
to give serious and careful thought to I've been meditating a career change for months

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to intend
to have in mind as a purpose or goal had meditated a quick return to work after having the baby, but circumstances changed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of meditate are muse, ponder, and ruminate. While all these words mean "to consider or examine attentively or deliberately," meditate implies a definite focusing of one's thoughts on something so as to understand it deeply.

meditated on the meaning of life

When can muse be used instead of meditate?

The meanings of muse and meditate largely overlap; however, muse suggests a more or less focused daydreaming as in remembrance.

mused upon childhood joys

Where would ponder be a reasonable alternative to meditate?

The words ponder and meditate can be used in similar contexts, but ponder implies a careful weighing of a problem or, often, prolonged inconclusive thinking about a matter.

pondered the course of action

When is ruminate a more appropriate choice than meditate?

In some situations, the words ruminate and meditate are roughly equivalent. However, 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 meditate Advice like meditating daily for an hour or sharpening up our golf game for networking purposes is useless to women because none of us have time for that. —Cherie Kloss, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025 Speaking in the museum’s galleries, both meditate on the role African culture played in the history of art, and the ways art might champion African identity. —Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 12 Mar. 2025 Take a walk in the crisp autumn air or meditate under a blooming cherry tree in spring. —Matt Rozo, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2025 In just over 20 minutes, the bag is born, experiences moments of joy, fear, loss and abandonment, and then meditates on death and eternity. —Samantha Conti, WWD, 13 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for meditate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meditate
  1. contemplate
  2. intend
  3. ponder
  4. plan
  5. entertain
  6. go
  7. consider
  8. hope
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
  • And, President Trump intends to scale back monies for state and local governments while pushing more costs on states and cities.
    — Eric J. Gertler, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2025
  • While the Senate spending cuts are set at just around $4 billion, the House intends to cut at least $1.5 trillion.
    — Claudia Grisales, NPR, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of intend
Verb
  • Sarah Wells ponders how her 13-year-old business, selling breast-pump backpacks and other items for new moms, will run under President Trump's new tariffs on all imports.
    — Alina Selyukh, NPR, 7 Apr. 2025
  • And ponder why the tee shot on the par-3 12th creates such a riddle.
    — Bob Spear, Charlotte Observer, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of ponder
Verb
  • The original start date was planned earlier, and the season would have been much easier to work in.
    — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 8 Apr. 2025
  • To add insult to injury, the NCAA does not plan on paying the full amount in cash.
    — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of plan
Verb
  • Families are very much the focus here, and the resort offers a wealth of activities to keep younger guests entertained (see: the indoor kids’ club and playground with multi-story slides, and the dedicated kids’ pool with water slides.
    — Nicole Trilivas, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The film is mass at its core and magical in its storytelling, crafted to move and entertain audiences worldwide.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of entertain
Verb
  • The freshman went 10-4-1 with a .933 save percentage and a 2.01 goals against average on the season, and was named to the Hockey East All-Rookie team.
    — Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 1 Apr. 2025
  • George Washington, goes the fairy tale about chopping the cherry tree, couldn’t tell a lie.
    — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of go
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
  • Now Versace will be part of the Prada family and hope to experience the same growth as its parent company, as last year, revenues at Prada Group jumped 15 percent, to more than $6 billion.
    — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The Road to Palmyra After years of violence, Syrians hope to restore the ancient city in the desert.
    — The Dial, The Dial, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of hope

Browse Nearby Words

mediocrity
meditate
meditated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Meditate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meditate. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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