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to contemplate

to contemplate

186 4.8
To think deeply about something for a long time
  • verb
  • /ˈkɒntəmˌpleɪt/
translation icon : contemplar
  • After losing his job, he decided to contemplate his career options before making a decision.
  • contemplate legal action
  • contemplate the future
  • contemplate a plan

Had a time to sort of contemplate what I could do.

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Examples

  • So let's contemplate this reaction in a little more detail.

  • This is the question I'm contemplating right now.

  • Now you open your eyes and you contemplate the world as it really is.

  • Well, one thing they can do is contemplate the consequences of not doing it.

  • If they are like works of art, then we can contemplate them, appreciate them, praise them.

    Academic text (1999)
  • It's so weird contemplating the meaning of life.

  • For the first time in his life, he contemplated the prospect of getting older?

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Mark Fonder offers some guidelines for those contemplating a journey into the past.

    Academic text (1990)
  • She didn't have the luxury to contemplate those possibilities.

  • To date, China has steadfastly refused to even contemplate binding constraints on its greenhouse gas emissions.

    Academic text (2008)

Synonyms

to think about
vsto contemplate
1.0

To give attention to something in your mind

is deeper more careful and often longer than simple mental attention
to consider
vsto contemplate
1.1

To think carefully before making a decision

is deep careful thinking that is not always aimed at decision making
to think of
vsto contemplate
834 1.0

See someone or something in a certain way

is deeper sustained careful thought rather than simple regard or mention
to reflect
vsto contemplate
265 3.9

To think carefully about something before making a decision

is deep thought often broader rather than specifically analytical or evaluative
to ponder
vsto contemplate
134 4.3

Think carefully for a long time about something

is deep careful thought but may be less practically aimed
to reflect on
vsto contemplate
120 4.0

To think carefully about something and what it means

is deep careful thinking that is not always lesson oriented or analytic
to think it through
vsto contemplate
  • Informal
105 3.2

To look at all the details and what may happen before you decide

is deep thought that may not focus on exhaustive practical consequences
to meditate
vsto contemplate
104 4.4

To sit quietly and focus your mind to relax or think deeply

is deep careful thinking but not necessarily calm or spiritually focused
to study
vsto contemplate
63 7.3

To think quietly and deeply about life or ideas

is deep careful thought without the specific spiritual or philosophical emphasis
to think out
vsto contemplate
  • Informal
45 3.9

To plan something carefully before you do it

is deep careful thought that is not necessarily intended as planning
to mull
vsto contemplate
36 4.7

Think carefully for a long time before making a decision

is deep reflection that is not limited to decision making situations
to muse
vsto contemplate
35 6.1

To think about something carefully for a long time

is deep careful thinking but not always in a gentle contemplative style
to mull over
vsto contemplate
19 4.0

To think carefully about something before deciding

is general prolonged thought not only used for decisions and plans
to chew on
vsto contemplate
  • Informal
14 3.9

To think carefully about something for a while before deciding

is deep careful thought that is not only aimed at preparing an opinion
to ruminate
vsto contemplate
10 7.6

To think carefully about something for a long time

is deep careful thought but may imply repeated returning to the idea
to think over
vsto contemplate
8 3.0

To look at something carefully before deciding

is reflective deep thought that is not always tied to decisions or actions
to chew over
vsto contemplate
  • Informal
3 4.1

To think about or talk about something carefully for a long time

is deep thought that need not involve discussion with other people
to cogitate
vsto contemplate
  • Formal
3 8.5

To think carefully and deeply about something

is similar but often conveys general deep thought rather than strict thoroughness
to ponder over
vsto contemplate
1 4.1

To think carefully about something for a long time

is deep careful thought but not always emphasizing long duration
to excogitate
vsto contemplate
  • Formal
9.9

To think very carefully to find a new idea or solution

is deep careful thought that is not specifically aimed at finding solutions

Antonyms

119 3.9

Ignore something or someone on purpose

How Deep

to ruminate
10 7.6
to ponder
134 4.3
to contemplate
186 4.8
to consider
1.1
to think about
1.0

Surface Forms

contemplate infinitive
contemplated past participle
contemplating present participle
contemplates third person singular

Etymology

Contemplate comes from Latin parts con- 'with' and templum 'temple'. Long ago, priests would stand in a temple to watch the sky and think about signs, so to contemplate today is to give something long, quiet attention and think about it slowly and carefully.