as in contemplated
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 pondered
The philosopher Biggie Smalls once pondered the nature of dangerously escalating rivalries.
—
Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
Standing alone in a Swedish laundromat, Alfie Whiteman set a 10-second timer on his camera and pondered what to do next.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2026
Local leaders have pondered a wide-ranging possibility of future uses for the property, from textile manufacturing to education to retail.
—Sacbee.com, 8 Apr. 2026
Converge vocalist Jacob Bannon pondered in a press statement.
—Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 1 Apr. 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
Lisa Nelson, executive director of the Hamline-Midway Coalition, said her board members pondered that question at length.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 18 Mar. 2026
These are questions that thinkers, philosophers, and academics have pondered over for centuries.
—Olivia Morelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Mar. 2026
Pluribus creator Vince Gilligan once pondered that the extras who make up the hive mind on the dystopian future show should be naked.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2026
Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
Standing alone in a Swedish laundromat, Alfie Whiteman set a 10-second timer on his camera and pondered what to do next.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2026
Local leaders have pondered a wide-ranging possibility of future uses for the property, from textile manufacturing to education to retail.
—Sacbee.com, 8 Apr. 2026
Converge vocalist Jacob Bannon pondered in a press statement.
—Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 1 Apr. 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
Lisa Nelson, executive director of the Hamline-Midway Coalition, said her board members pondered that question at length.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 18 Mar. 2026
These are questions that thinkers, philosophers, and academics have pondered over for centuries.
—Olivia Morelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Mar. 2026
Pluribus creator Vince Gilligan once pondered that the extras who make up the hive mind on the dystopian future show should be naked.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pondered
Verb
-
Leonard’s deal with Aspiration occurred as Ballmer invested in the company and as the Clippers and Aspiration signed deals that contemplated a $300 million partnership for Aspiration to sponsor the Clippers’ arena and the team’s jersey patch.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The presence of the Sussexes would detract from that, and so, it cannot be contemplated.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As a freshman, Sammy qualified for and debated in the 2025 NSDA National Tournament in Policy Debate, held in Des Moines, Iowa.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
While city leaders debated how to restructure the system, LAHSA employees said the uncertainty is already taking a toll.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
After making his way back to the bench early in the fourth, Wagner was considered questionable to return due to a right calf strain.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Lung cancer is considered the leading cause of cancer deaths across the country, according to the American Lung Association.—
Marcella Baietto,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The geological formation has been studied for decades, and that long record of scientific interest shapes how the company describes its role.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
For years, researchers have studied endocasts of Neanderthal skulls, trying to piece together how their brains were different or similar to ours.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Top clients were entertained at the Royal Mansour and La Mamounia—two famously luxe hotels in the city considered to be the best of the best.—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
1 May 2026
-
Masterpiece and Paramount’s UK network 5 are returning to the Scottish Highlands that entertained British audiences at the turn of this millennium.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Senators from both parties questioned Means about her vaccine stance and nontraditional medical background during a contentious confirmation hearing in February, threatening her path forward.—
Ali Swenson,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Amid the protest, which included chants, songs, and a skit where Duke Energy was represented by someone dressed as the devil, Corinne Mack, president of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg NAACP questioned whether Duke leaders were truly hearing residents’ concerns.—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The association last year weighed the possibility of allowing athletes and coaches to bet on pro sports but decided against that change in the wake of high-profile betting scandals involving NBA and MLB players.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Before anybody could analyze what had happened, Ferdinand, carrying a jockey who probably never weighed 100 pounds in his career — thanks to the birth advantage Downey so aptly pointed out years later — was cruising past the leaders and sailing home a winner.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
From rustically beautiful islands to villages best explored on a bike, here is where—and how—to vacation like the French this summer.—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Multiple teams explored the possibility of acquiring Greenard from Minnesota and giving him a new deal.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pondered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pondered. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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