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 The animation director adds the inversion of the zombie genre for Bread Will Walk, where two young people are on the run from a comedic, starving mob, aims beyond engaging audiences to leave them pondering the impact of hunger itself in a world increasingly filled by the haves and have-nots. Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2025 Listen to this article While waiting on a plume of smoke to rise from the old Wrigley Field scoreboard to announce whether a decision on Cade Horton had been made, here are eight things to ponder after the Chicago Cubs’ 3-1 loss to the San Francisco Giants. Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2025 That could also come into play as Dungey and her team ponder more comedies on TBS and another tentpole drama for TNT. Michael Schneider, Variety, 14 May 2025 While Malibu leaders ponder the future, the state of most of the septic systems along PCH remains a mystery. James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 11 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
  • This beautiful tropical country was long considered a no-go because of civil unrest and economic instability.
    Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 30 May 2025
  • 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
Verb
  • Volta gave demonstrations to scientific institutes across Europe with esteemed attendees, including Napoleon Bonaparte, and entertained audiences in theaters with electric devices.
    Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 26 May 2025
  • It's marketed firmly at the latter, a STEM tool designed to educate and entertain children from 6 upwards, who have a burgeoning interest in space.
    Chris McMullen, Space.com, 24 May 2025
Verb
  • In fact, a simple search for side part on TikTok will generate a range of videos debating whether the look is either cheugy or the comeback style of the century.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 24 May 2025
  • Body camera footage obtained by his attorney, Keith Rutman, shows officers debating whether to take him to a nearby psychiatric hospital.
    Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 May 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 4 Jun. 2025.

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