to deliberate

Examples

• All

• After hearing all the arguments, the judges will deliberate before announcing their decision.

• The committee is still deliberating.

  Chevalier (2023)

• Other people thought, let's deliberate for a long time.

• Government officials were representatives of the people, sent to deliberate on the public business.

  Academic text (1997)

• The court will now retire to deliberate.

  Paths of Glory (1957)

• The Senate meetings were regularly used by all members of the Senate to deliberate on what the University is for.

• Well, we don't deliberate about things that are not in our power.

• We only deliberate, Aristotle says, over things where there is some choice.

• "The jurors come in, they hear evidence, they deliberate and decide the case, shake hands, and go home."

  Academic text (1995)

• For several months, New York legislators had been deliberating a $1.9 billion 21st Century Environmental Quality Bond Act.

  Academic text (1990)

Synonyms

L

to look at

vsto deliberate

∞ 1.0

Study something carefully to understand it or decide

is more formal and emphasizes careful discussion before choosing

C

to consider

vsto deliberate

∞ 1.1

To think carefully before making a decision

adds the idea of careful group discussion before a decision

D

to debate

vsto deliberate

461 2.8

To discuss and argue about a topic in a formal way

is internal and focused on careful thinking rather than formal argument

S

to study

vsto deliberate

349 1.0

To look at something carefully to understand it

is narrower, focusing on careful discussion aimed at making a decision

R

to reflect

vsto deliberate

194 3.9

To think carefully about something before making a decision

adds the aspect of careful group discussion leading to a decision

C

to contemplate

vsto deliberate

185 4.8

To think deeply about something for a long time

is more active, involving careful discussion before a timely decision

R

to reflect on

vsto deliberate

154 4.0

To think carefully about something and what it means

is more decision oriented, involving careful discussion before conclusion

P

to ponder

vsto deliberate

128 4.3

Think carefully for a long time about something

is about careful discussion focused on reaching a decision

T

to think out

vsto deliberate

• Informal

74 3.9

To plan something carefully before you do it

is about careful discussion and attention before deciding

T

to think over

vsto deliberate

70 3.0

To look at something carefully before deciding

is about careful discussion leading to a decision rather than general thought

C

to chew on

vsto deliberate

• Informal

61 3.9

To think carefully about something for a while before deciding

is more about careful talk and formal decision making

M

to mull

vsto deliberate

40 4.7

Think carefully for a long time before making a decision

stresses careful discussion and review before making a decision

T

to think it through

vsto deliberate

• Informal

37 3.2

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

is focused on careful discussion before a final choice

M

to mull over

vsto deliberate

24 4.0

To think carefully about something before deciding

places more emphasis on careful group discussion before a decision

T

to turn over

vsto deliberate

4 4.1

Think carefully about something before deciding

places stronger emphasis on careful discussion before final choice

C

to cogitate

vsto deliberate

• Formal

3 8.5

To think carefully and deeply about something

focuses more on careful discussion aimed at making a decision

P

to ponder over

vsto deliberate

3 4.1

To think carefully about something for a long time

is more about careful talk and decision making than long reflection

Antonyms

R

to rush

224 1.0

To make a person or thing move quickly

Compounds

D

deliberate defense

• Specialized

1 6.7

A set of carefully planned military actions using strong positions and clear communications before fighting the enemy

How Careful

to ruminate

12 7.6

to ponder

128 4.3

to deliberate

50 4.4

to consider

∞ 1.1

to think about

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology