1
as in pondering
to give serious and careful thought to
she contemplated the problem for several hours before reaching a decision
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in planning
to have in mind as a purpose or goal
he waited patiently, contemplating revenge all the while
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Recent Examples of contemplating
Collecting vinyl, clubbing at Berghain, contemplating polyamory—this is cool.
—
Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2026
Proponents of such laws cite potential conflicts of interest between public interests and private ones, particularly when lawmakers or officials are contemplating a move from one sphere to the other.
—Paul Egan, Freep.com, 4 Feb. 2026
OpenAI may be contemplating an IPO before the end of the year in part to get out in the public market ahead of its rival Anthropic, according to the Journal’s reporting.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026
Lately, she’s been reading up on the licensing rules in other states and contemplating a move after her husband finishes school.
—Natalie Yahr, jsonline.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Among critics is San José Mayor Matt Mahan, a tech-friendly Democrat who is contemplating a run for governor.
—Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Today's developments, however, also spark a new series of questions worth contemplating.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026
Their time to maximize the three players was limited, though, because of their ages, and the Rams were also aware that Donald had been contemplating retirement.
—Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2026
Smart’s captors subjected her to rape daily, something that drove her to the point of contemplating suicide.
—Stephanie Kaloi, PEOPLE, 22 Jan. 2026
Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2026
Proponents of such laws cite potential conflicts of interest between public interests and private ones, particularly when lawmakers or officials are contemplating a move from one sphere to the other.
—Paul Egan, Freep.com, 4 Feb. 2026
OpenAI may be contemplating an IPO before the end of the year in part to get out in the public market ahead of its rival Anthropic, according to the Journal’s reporting.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026
Lately, she’s been reading up on the licensing rules in other states and contemplating a move after her husband finishes school.
—Natalie Yahr, jsonline.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Among critics is San José Mayor Matt Mahan, a tech-friendly Democrat who is contemplating a run for governor.
—Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Today's developments, however, also spark a new series of questions worth contemplating.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026
Their time to maximize the three players was limited, though, because of their ages, and the Rams were also aware that Donald had been contemplating retirement.
—Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2026
Smart’s captors subjected her to rape daily, something that drove her to the point of contemplating suicide.
—Stephanie Kaloi, PEOPLE, 22 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemplating
Verb
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But homeowners like Kahn are already pondering San Jose without Mayor Mahan.—
Julia Prodis Sulek,
Mercury News,
1 Feb. 2026
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The Rams will be at home pondering what might have been.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Mayor Michelle Wu says her administration is also planning to boost the city’s annual block-party grants to allow watch parties and festivities to take place across Boston’s neighborhoods.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
10 Feb. 2026
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Lawmakers in Congress are planning to bury the commemorative chest in honor of the nation's 250th anniversary.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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According to a report by Swiss multinational investment bank UBS, 36% of its 87 billionaire clients surveyed had already relocated at least once in 2025, while another 9% were considering doing so.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
11 Feb. 2026
-
But the task proved daunting considering that Chopra Jonas, 30 at the time, was no longer in the ingenue phase of her life.—
Tatiana Siegel,
Variety,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Without intending, even as the Vietnam War lingered on and the national mood was grim, halftime became classic Americana, a telling mixture of self-parody and pride.—
Christopher Borrelli,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
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Instead, the Bucks are intending to see if a future can be crafted in Milwaukee for Antetokounmpo going forward, or else resume trade negotiations either closer to June’s NBA draft or during the next salary-cap calendar that opens July 1.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Florida House of Representatives is debating legislation that would require local governments to allow single-family homeowners to build accessory dwelling units — commonly known as efficiencies or granny flats — on their properties.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
7 Feb. 2026
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Join Richard Sher’s panel with Vatz, Catalina Byrd, Jimmy Mathis and Barry Gogel debating the continuing feud between Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and State’s Attorney Ivan Bates.—
Bill Wachsberger,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Investigators are looking into every aspect of the case, including how Van Rootselaar got the guns despite her struggles with mental health.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Goldschmidt, 38 and still looking for a World Series ring, agreed to a one-year, $4 million contract with the Yankees last Friday, just days before pitchers and catchers officially reported to Tampa.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Not even scientists who have dedicated their life to studying chemistry can totally pin down its essence.—
Olga Khazan,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
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Troublingly, many of the early psychologists and educators who took the lead on studying and developing curricula for these children were steeped in eugenics, including the belief in intelligence as hereditary, race- and class-dependent, and largely fixed.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Late Tuesday evening, hours after the images were released, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI detained a person for questioning in the case.—
Dakin Andone,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
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Tensions flared and the hearing sparked heated exchanges — the Democrats comparing the enforcement operations to Nazi Germany and questioning how the administration officials will be judged — the chairman at times gaveling the lawmakers back to order.—
Rebecca Santana,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contemplating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemplating. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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