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 Patients and visitors can use the garden to get some fresh air — perhaps drink a cafecito while meditating with a view. Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2025 If not for the rhythmic motion of the stylus’s nub against the touch screen, he could have been mistaken for someone meditating. Matt Alt, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025 There’s also a serenity garden where students can escape to relax or meditate. Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025 But the film’s wild, icy and rural visuals, captured grandly by cinematographer Tyson Perkins, are astonishingly gorgeous to meditate in. Tomris Laffly, Variety, 14 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for meditate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meditate
Verb
  • While vocal over the years about his aversion to sell, take on a business partner or publicly list the company, rumors about Armani contemplating forming a foundation first emerged in 2012.
    Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Conducting compensation negotiations with a team is only one of relevant services contemplated by the SPAC.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The company on Wednesday also debuted the Oakley Meta Vanguard smart glasses, intended for athletes who participate in high-intensity sports like snowboarding and mountain biking.
    Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2025
  • The flypast was intended to showcase the strength of UK-US defense ties with a coordinated aerial display.
    Amanda Castro Hannah Parry Shane Croucher Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • As Mary’s family attempts to rally around the Downton heiress, Robert (Hugh Bonneville) and Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) are navigating their way through more financial strife, with those downstairs also left to ponder what the future holds for aristocratic homes like theirs.
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Brendan McDermid | Reuters After Swedish payments group Klarna’s $17 billion initial public offering, investors are pondering which big fintech name will be the next to go public.
    Ryan Browne, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Data from Cirium, an aviation data analytics company, shows that all airlines are planning to fly fewer seats to Tulum in the months ahead.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Friedland’s Ivanhoe Atlantic, formerly High Power Exploration, plans to invest $5 billion in infrastructure projects in Africa's Liberty Corridor, connecting Guinea to Liberia.
    Yessar Rosendar, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • These initiatives still fall within the purview established by recent Supreme Court decisions, and remain steps that companies can entertain even in the current legal climate.
    Adia Harvey Wingfield, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • The only way Golden State can even entertain that kind of move, though, is if Kuminga doesn't accept the qualifying offer, and instead signs a larger, multi-year deal this offseason.
    Noah Camras, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Lucky went 1,500 days in the shelter without being adopted, then everything changed.
    Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Before all that happened, though, there was the eight-course dinner, which went totally fine as predicted.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Six cars, five trucks and 19 utility vehicles are on the list to be considered the best car, truck or utility vehicle of the year.
    Mark Phelan, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
  • The wood of sequoias is considered brittle, and few logs made it to the mill.
    Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 20 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • By combining the Cardinals’ spirit with an urgent public health mission, Wainwright and Sierra Kile hope to ensure that Darryl Kile’s legacy continues to inspire not just on the field, but in the lives of countless fans who cheer from the stands.
    Andy Frye, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • In the press release regarding the official launch of the Program, Impel co-founder and CEO Devin Daly emphasized the impact the companies hope to make by helping industry employees gain the acumen to effectively work alongside AI.
    Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Meditate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meditate. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.

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