ruminate

verb

ˈrü-mə-ˌnāt How to pronounce ruminate (audio)
Definition of ruminatenext
as in to ponder
to give serious and careful thought to the minister hoped that the congregation would spend the remainder of the week ruminating the message of his sermon

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word ruminate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of ruminate are meditate, muse, and ponder. While all these words mean "to consider or examine attentively or deliberately," 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

When is it sensible to use meditate instead of ruminate?

While in some cases nearly identical to ruminate, meditate implies a definite focusing of one's thoughts on something so as to understand it deeply.

meditated on the meaning of life

When might muse be a better fit than ruminate?

The synonyms muse and ruminate are sometimes interchangeable, but muse suggests a more or less focused daydreaming as in remembrance.

mused upon childhood joys

When is ponder a more appropriate choice than ruminate?

Although the words ponder and ruminate have much in common, ponder implies a careful weighing of a problem or, often, prolonged inconclusive thinking about a matter.

pondered the course of action

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 ruminate Slone has a much softer and more plaintive voice and, judging from his finely wrought songs, a tendency to contend with heartbreak not by going out and raging but by staying in and ruminating. —Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 15 Jan. 2026 Few of them will get it, because Americans know that military action, especially to overthrow a regime, is a risky business, and certainly not something to ruminate about in the middle of the night. —Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2026 For instance, research finds that walking in nature results in diminished activation in the area of the brain associated with sadness and ruminating thoughts. —Stacy Shaw, Fortune, 26 Dec. 2025 Shanahan ruminated on that topic in his news conference following the 49ers 48-27 win over the Indianapolis Colts Monday. —Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 23 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ruminate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruminate
  1. ponder
  2. contemplate
  3. entertain
  4. debate
  5. consider
  6. study
Verb
  • At least one likely outcome would’ve been apparent, but pondering that likelihood wasn’t Pretti’s responsibility.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Its lessons are ones Republicans should ponder — and fast.
    — Stephen Mihm, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of ponder
Verb
  • 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
Definition of contemplate
Verb
  • View Outside’s longstanding literary storytelling tradition comes to life in audio with features that will both entertain and inform listeners.
    — Outside Online, Outside Online, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice.
    — Ray Padilla, Louisville Courier Journal, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of entertain
Verb
  • Policymakers are interested too, debating whether public policy and taxpayer money should be used to propel off-site construction from niche application to a regular, if not dominant, feature of the industry.
    — Ben Christopher, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
  • While many countries still debate how electric air travel should work, China is already laying the foundation.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of debate
Verb
  • To strengthen the economy, Texas must rein in local spending, increase transparency, expand audits of cities, counties, and universities, and consider local spending caps so taxpayers aren’t saddled with unsustainable obligations.
    — Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Though she initially was considered missing, the urgency to quickly find Guthrie pulsed through the first days of media coverage because of her heart condition.
    — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of consider
Verb
  • But there were always more pressing things to do than attend lectures or study rare manuscripts in the Radcliffe Camera, the beautiful circular reading room that’s the centerpiece of the Bodleian Library.
    — Richard Godwin, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2026
  • The Opening Ceremony for the Milan Olympics is not until Friday, but for seasonal fans wanting to study up on who’s going for gold, hours of documentary programing in skiing, ice dancing and other sports are now available as streamers try to take a piece of the winter sports action from NBC.
    — Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of study

Browse Nearby Words

ruminant
ruminate
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Cite this Entry

“Ruminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruminate. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of ruminate for Spanish Speakers

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