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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contemplating
Still, at least some are already contemplating a return to their homeland.
—
Natalia Jaramillo, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2026
After months of rumors about the downtown location, in January the company confirmed plans to shut down its stores in DOCO and the Sunrise Mall — the struggling retail center in Citrus Heights where city officials are contemplating eminent domain.
—Sacbee.com, 30 Dec. 2025
Driving the momentum to its peak this year was word in August that the administration was contemplating an IPO that could value the enterprises at around $500 billion or more, involving selling 5% to 15% of their stock to raise about $30 billion.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 29 Dec. 2025
In a Goodwill store in Fountain Square, 25-year-old Shedrick James III shopped for furniture, sitting down and testing a reclining chair while contemplating his holiday spending.
—Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 23 Dec. 2025
While their two children qualify for Child Health Plan Plus — which covers kids from families that earn too much for Medicaid — Modisette and her husband don’t have a public coverage option and are contemplating going without insurance.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 20 Dec. 2025
Giannatos stays silent for several seconds, like a chess player contemplating their next move.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 18 Dec. 2025
For physicists, these twisted shapes make for excellent points of comparison when contemplating the properties of subatomic particles, such as the spin of the electron, which must be rotated by 720 degrees to get back to its start.
—Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 18 Dec. 2025
Employers should start contemplating what talent strategy may be required in the next six to nine months to help achieve profitability and growth, Namboothiry said.
—Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 17 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemplating
Verb
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And for those pondering their futures, going out with a win sure beats the alternative.—
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Just pondering the logistics of building and running La Selva was as incredible to me as the nature that surrounded us.—
Verb
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While the first missions to space would not occur for several years, scientists began planning on how humans could reach orbit, fly to the Moon, and beyond.—
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Whether we’re headed to the gym, lounging at home, or planning your next trips, Lululemon is our go-to destination for a workout wardrobe that doubles as casual and travel wear.—
Verb
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In considering whether to allow the sales, China is trying to balance AI development with its push for chip self-sufficiency.—
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In other business, the council began considering a request to annex a 47-acre parcel east of Bauer Farms, south of County Road 700 North and west of 625 West.—
Verb
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Mere weeks after an armed man came to our ER intending to shoot people, hospital leaders refused to negotiate improvements in workplace safety.—
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Prosecutors said the group members planned to target agents with the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, intending to harm them with pipe bombs.—
Verb
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Opposite a serene Rooney Mara and a raging Claire Foy, Buckley is a lone dissenting voice in Sarah Polley’s heart-wrenching portrait of a group of women and girls in an isolated Mennonite colony who are debating how to respond to a series of brutal attacks from the men in their community.—
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Many Americans are debating whether the shooting was justified after videos taken by bystanders and cellphone footage from the officer were released, leading to protests around the country.—
Verb
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Today’s pairs are built for all conditions, designed to carry you through long days without blisters or fuss, while still looking effortless.—
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Thousands of players are in the transfer portal looking for greener grass, either in cash, playing time or a sexier stage.—
Verb
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That research laid the foundation for studying blood-loss control.—
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The concept was introduced in 2014 at UC Davis when a group of graduate students led by Ernst Oehninger was studying ways to prevent food waste.—
Verb
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He was held for questioning for two days, but released without charges in connection to her death.—
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Roughly 20 parents spoke to the school board Thursday night questioning what would happen if Blanton closed.—
Cite this Entry
“Contemplating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemplating. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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