to mull

Examples

• All

• "It's so good I had to sit down here and mull it over."

  Fiction book (1998)

• I told him I'd mull it over.

  This Is Where I Leave You (2014)

• I think it's so easy to Mull things over like that for a really long time.

  Zoe Sugg

• We can, um, - mull it over.

  Adrift (2018)

• You just mull that over, okay?

  End Game (2006)

• Well, I'll have to mull that over for a while.

  Pet Sematary (1989)

• Before we do anything rash, let's take the weekend to mull this over, all right?

  Dear John (2010)

• "So you were in the Army, too," she said, mulling over a piece of information I'd given her.

  Fiction book (1997)

• Throughout the night, she mulled over the problem, discussing it with her colleagues.

  Fiction book (1996)

• Patrick and several other miscreants sit quietly, mulling over their misfortune.

  Fiction book (1999)

Synonyms

T

to think

vsto mull

∞ 1.0

To use your mind to consider something carefully

is narrower, focusing on long deep thinking before making a choice

T

to think about

vsto mull

∞ 1.0

To give attention to something in your mind

is more specific about prolonged deep thought before reaching a decision

C

to consider

vsto mull

∞ 1.1

To think carefully before making a decision

is similar but emphasises sustained deep thought before deciding

R

to reflect

vsto mull

265 3.9

To think carefully about something before making a decision

emphasizes long pondering specifically aimed at a decision in the key

C

to contemplate

vsto mull

186 4.8

To think deeply about something for a long time

leans more explicitly toward thought aimed at a pending decision

P

to ponder

vsto mull

134 4.3

Think carefully for a long time about something

is similar but stresses decision preparation more clearly

R

to reflect on

vsto mull

120 4.0

To think carefully about something and what it means

adds the sense of extended pre-decision consideration from the key

T

to think it through

vsto mull

• Informal

105 3.2

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

focuses more on general prolonged deep thought before deciding

M

to meditate

vsto mull

104 4.4

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

is more goal oriented toward deciding than calm or spiritual focus

D

to deliberate

vsto mull

43 4.4

To think about something very carefully before deciding

is more about individual long private thought than formal discussion

M

to muse

vsto mull

35 6.1

To think about something carefully for a long time

is more about planning a choice after long consideration rather than quiet reflection

S

to sleep on it

vsto mull

26 3.7

To delay making a decision until the next day to think about it

covers longer deep deliberation at any moment rather than specifically overnight

M

to mull over

vsto mull

19 4.0

To think carefully about something before deciding

is the same idea expressed in the key description exactly

C

to chew on

vsto mull

• Informal

14 3.9

To think carefully about something for a while before deciding

stresses longer, deeper consideration aimed at making a choice

R

to ruminate

vsto mull

10 7.6

To think carefully about something for a long time

is more tied to preparing for a decision rather than continuous rumination

T

to think over

vsto mull

8 3.0

To look at something carefully before deciding

focuses more on long, deep thought specifically before deciding

G

to gather one's thoughts

vsto mull

6 4.4

Pause and think clearly before you speak or decide

is broader, involving longer private thought before a formal decision

C

to chew over

vsto mull

• Informal

3 4.1

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

is more about private long thought before deciding rather than discussion

C

to cogitate

vsto mull

• Formal

3 8.5

To think carefully and deeply about something

is more directly tied to weighing options before a decision

P

to ponder over

vsto mull

1 4.1

To think carefully about something for a long time

is closer to making a choice after extended thought rather than general thought

E

to excogitate

vsto mull

• Formal

9.9

To think very carefully to find a new idea or solution

focuses more on general deep decision preparation rather than invention

S

to sleep on the idea

vsto mull

4.8

Delay making a decision until after you think about it overnight

involves longer general deep thought at any time, not only overnight delay

Antonyms

I

to ignore

∞ 1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

D

to dismiss

332 3.0

To refuse to accept an idea or claim

Phrasal Verbs

M

to mull over

19 4.0

To think carefully about something before deciding

Compounds

M

Mull of Kintyre rule

• Literature

9.9

An informal guideline that picture parts should not extend above a diagonal from left to right

How Deep

to brood

28 6.1

to ruminate

10 7.6

to mull

36 4.7

to ponder

134 4.3

to consider

∞ 1.1

Surface Forms

Etymology