ponder

verb

pon·der ˈpän-dər

pondered; pondering ˈpän-d(ə-)riŋ

Synonyms of ponder next

transitive verb

: to weigh in the mind : appraise

pondered their chances of success

: to think about : reflect on

pondered the events of the day

intransitive verb

: to think or consider especially quietly, soberly, and deeply

ponderer

ˈpän-dər-ər

noun

Choose the Right Synonym for ponder

ponder, meditate, muse, ruminate mean to consider or examine attentively or deliberately.

ponder implies a careful weighing of a problem or, often, prolonged inconclusive thinking about a matter.

pondered the course of action

meditate implies a definite focusing of one's thoughts on something so as to understand it deeply.

meditated on the meaning of life

muse suggests a more or less focused daydreaming as in remembrance.

mused upon childhood joys

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

Examples of ponder in a Sentence

He pondered the question before he answered. The team pondered their chances of success. We pondered whether we could afford the trip.

Recent Examples on the Web

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The new album’s title track ponders the optimism of a postwar generation that saw itself as ushering in a golden age. —

Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024 Earlier in the episode, Stephen ponders the liberties Nancy took when writing The Perfect Stranger. —

Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024 However, many readers might ponder why India is buying into an energy source that nearly brought Europe to its knees only a few years ago. —

Ganesh Rao, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2024 There are a few things at play when pondering the popularity of this meme, but the most interesting may be as a reaction against the automation of adverts. —

Callum Booth, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ponder