as in to contemplate
to give serious and careful thought to
I'm pondering whether or not I should join another committee
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ponder
Amid the uproar, the Obama team trooped into a gloomy Oval Office to ponder its next move.
—
Literary Hub, 23 Mar. 2026
Someone who has pondered such niceties is Richard Posner, a former circuit judge and a prolific legal scholar.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2026
Braves manager Walt Weiss, pitcher Chris Sale and crew ponder their existence (maybe).
—Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 20 Mar. 2026
As new signs of a rift emerge in Western alliances, Putin and his generals are pondering plans for the spring and summer campaign across more than the 1,200-kilometer (about 750-mile) front line.
—ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ponder
Literary Hub, 23 Mar. 2026
Someone who has pondered such niceties is Richard Posner, a former circuit judge and a prolific legal scholar.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2026
Braves manager Walt Weiss, pitcher Chris Sale and crew ponder their existence (maybe).
—Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 20 Mar. 2026
As new signs of a rift emerge in Western alliances, Putin and his generals are pondering plans for the spring and summer campaign across more than the 1,200-kilometer (about 750-mile) front line.
—ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ponder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ponder
Verb
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The idea that consumer taxes would be one of them is hard to contemplate.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
29 Mar. 2026
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The slow burn of Santos getting repeatedly plowed over with stress and emotion has led her to contemplate self-harm again.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Overland Park is considering building new community pools as part of its widespread parks and recreation master plan.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
5 Apr. 2026
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Families should consider making a nutritious snack available an hour or so before sports practices so children with that earlier lunch time have energy available to fuel activities.—
Dr. Sarah Kinsella,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The kids' menu is tempting for adults and youngsters alike, and if in doubt, a ride in the golf carts that come with each villa will be more than enough to keep everyone entertained.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Apr. 2026
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The notion of relying on Kurdish forces as a national alternative was briefly entertained, then abandoned.—
Kazem Kazerounian,
Hartford Courant,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Pop culture depictions of school shootings have often stoked controversy, with many viewers debating the line between storytelling and sensitivity.—
Saba Hamedy,
NBC news,
3 Apr. 2026
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As lawmakers debate, business owners like him remain worried about getting served with lawsuit papers.—
Kate Wolffe,
Sacbee.com,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Turnover is very common in large, urban districts, where superintendent transitions are often fraught, according to Jason Grissom, a Vanderbilt University professor who studies school district leadership.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
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The science payload to be landed there includes seismometers, a drill to allow emplacement of heat flow and electrical conductivity probes, and instruments to study the magnetic field and surface weathering.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Still, some critics have questioned the role of law enforcement on school campuses, particularly in secondary schools, raising concerns that such programs can feel more like surveillance than support.—
Mona Darwish,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
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The hidden cost of going back to school Students are increasingly questioning the value proposition of higher education.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ponder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ponder. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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