as in contemplation
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as in contemplating
to give serious and careful thought to
I'm pondering whether or not I should join another committee
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Recent Examples of pondering
Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 3 Jan. 2026
Shawn Tully, Fortune, 9 May 2026
The sequence left us pondering our pet cats and, for good measure, our worst selves.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 8 May 2026
As Jeff Sanders wrote (here) on Thursday, the Padres are pondering a lot of different ways to deal with their starting pitching situation in the coming weeks.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2026
The two-term governor, who is seeking a third term in November while pondering a potential 2028 White House bid, is viewed favorably by 68% of Chicagoans and unfavorably by 20%.
—Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Gary Thuerk, of the Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), was pondering how to advertise upcoming demonstrations in California of his company’s latest computers.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
Children’s Hospital Colorado suspended those services in January; that decision was upheld by a state judge, but the Colorado Supreme Court is pondering whether to order the services to resume.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
The medical drama's season 2 finale ended on a cliffhanger Thursday, April 16, with Wyle's character pondering a three-month sabbatical and a motorcycle ride across the country.
—Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
And while that tie will be one many neutrals will enjoy and look forward to, Real Madrid will be left spending the final weeks before the season ends pondering what needs to change to reign across Europe for an unprecedented 16th time.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
All 50 years of craft, thought, thematic pondering — everything.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 3 Jan. 2026
Verb
EBay’s board is now pondering GameStop’s offer.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 9 May 2026
The sequence left us pondering our pet cats and, for good measure, our worst selves.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 8 May 2026
As Jeff Sanders wrote (here) on Thursday, the Padres are pondering a lot of different ways to deal with their starting pitching situation in the coming weeks.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2026
The two-term governor, who is seeking a third term in November while pondering a potential 2028 White House bid, is viewed favorably by 68% of Chicagoans and unfavorably by 20%.
—Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Gary Thuerk, of the Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), was pondering how to advertise upcoming demonstrations in California of his company’s latest computers.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
Children’s Hospital Colorado suspended those services in January; that decision was upheld by a state judge, but the Colorado Supreme Court is pondering whether to order the services to resume.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
The medical drama's season 2 finale ended on a cliffhanger Thursday, April 16, with Wyle's character pondering a three-month sabbatical and a motorcycle ride across the country.
—Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
And while that tie will be one many neutrals will enjoy and look forward to, Real Madrid will be left spending the final weeks before the season ends pondering what needs to change to reign across Europe for an unprecedented 16th time.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pondering
Noun
-
Selzer’s contemplations bring together literature, history, philosophy, medicine, and ruminations.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 May 2026
-
Gold can be one option worth serious contemplation right now.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
5 May 2026
Verb
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Anyone contemplating suicide or struggling with their mental health should call 9-8-8, the state’s crisis center consortium.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 May 2026
-
As the post-war period quickly gave way to the Cold War, every major power began contemplating what the next evolution in the tank would be.—
Matthew S Williams,
Interesting Engineering,
20 May 2026
Noun
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The Sun forms a cazimi with Mercury in Taurus in your 12th House of Reflection, illuminating private thoughts, old patterns, and instincts that have been waiting underneath the noise.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
14 May 2026
-
The thought of retaining a longtime customer without having to discipline a possibly difficult long-term employee may prove motivating.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Their days are spent swimming in the lake, picnicking by the beach and debating poetry and literature.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
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One scene shows the crew in a garage deconstructing a surfboard and passionately debating where the fins should go.—
Antonio Ferme,
Variety,
15 May 2026
Noun
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During each session, expert instructors guide flowing yoga sessions and meditation with sweeping London skyline views.—
Rachel Dube,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
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What a Women’s Wellness Retreat Actually Includes A women’s wellness retreat typically blends movement, meditation and community in a setting designed to feel restorative rather than performative.—
Lauren Schuster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Powering the phone is a MediaTek Helio G99—this is a bit underpowered, even at this price point, but considering this is not meant to be a main phone, the silicon is serviceable.—
Ben Sin,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
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That didn’t sit well with many people, considering the havoc caused by the crash.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
20 May 2026
Noun
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Additional protection considerations Heat and humidity aren’t the only hazards that can affect items in storage.—
Kody Boye,
Miami Herald,
22 May 2026
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Political considerations, these officials say, are left outside the central bank's walls.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
22 May 2026
Verb
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Grant, of the Urban League, said the ordinance is the result of months of organizing, studying the issue and consulting with city officials and health advocates.—
Jack Harvel,
Kansas City Star,
22 May 2026
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Ali Costellow is a rising senior studying visual journalism/photography and journalism at Western Kentucky University.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pondering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pondering. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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