to excogitate

9.9

To think very carefully to find a new idea or solution

verb
/ɪkˈkɒdʒɪˌteɪt/

Formal

: excogitar

To create a successful marketing strategy, she needed to excogitate all possible outcomes and factors.

Examples

After much discussion, the team decided to excogitate innovative solutions to the problem they faced.
But another major factor to excogitate is the role of speculation in the oil markets.

Blog text (16)
He took time to excogitate the implications of his decision before presenting it to the board.

Synonyms

to work out

vsto excogitate

950 2.8

To find a solution or plan by thinking carefully

is more focused on deep original invention of a solution

to reflect

vsto excogitate

265 3.9

To think carefully about something before making a decision

adds a clearer goal of producing a new idea or solution

to contemplate

vsto excogitate

186 4.8

To think deeply about something for a long time

is directed more specifically toward inventing or solving something

to invent

vsto excogitate

181 3.2

To make up a story or excuse that is not true

is aimed specifically at careful true solutions rather than fiction

to devise

vsto excogitate

135 4.8

To plan or invent something carefully

leans more toward very deep solitary mental creation of ideas

to ponder

vsto excogitate

134 4.3

Think carefully for a long time about something

aims more at producing a concrete inventive result from thought

to reflect on

vsto excogitate

120 4.0

To think carefully about something and what it means

is more active in conceiving a new workable solution from thought

to think it through

vsto excogitate

Informal

105 3.2

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

is more directed at producing a concrete inventive outcome

to formulate

vsto excogitate

59 4.5

To create and describe an idea, plan, or theory clearly

focuses more on originating novel solutions through deep thought

to forge

vsto excogitate

56 4.7

To create a plan or idea after careful thought

places stronger emphasis on very careful deep conception of ideas

to think out

vsto excogitate

Informal

45 3.9

To plan something carefully before you do it

is more about creating a new solution than just planning

to brainstorm

vsto excogitate

39 3.4

To quickly think of many ideas, often with other people

is slower and more solitary, focused on one developed solution

to mull

vsto excogitate

36 4.7

Think carefully for a long time before making a decision

leans more toward creating a new idea rather than just choosing

to muse

vsto excogitate

35 6.1

To think about something carefully for a long time

is more goal oriented toward producing an original practical idea

to mull over

vsto excogitate

19 4.0

To think carefully about something before deciding

is more focused on deep invention of a practical answer

to contrive

vsto excogitate

13 7.3

To invent a clever plan or excuse

relies more on prolonged deep thought to produce a new idea

to ruminate

vsto excogitate

10 7.6

To think carefully about something for a long time

is more directed at creating a new idea or practical solution

to think over

vsto excogitate

8 3.0

To look at something carefully before deciding

focuses more on deep creative thought to generate a solution

to chew over

vsto excogitate

Informal

3 4.1

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

is often solitary and more focused on inventing a solution

to cogitate

vsto excogitate

Formal

3 8.5

To think carefully and deeply about something

adds a stronger focus on producing a workable new solution

to ponder over

vsto excogitate

1 4.1

To think carefully about something for a long time

is more actively aimed at finding or inventing a solution

to dope out

vsto excogitate

Informal

8.8

To find a plan or solution by thinking carefully

uses more formal, extended deep thought to invent an answer

to cerebrate

vsto excogitate

Formal

9.5

To think carefully and seriously about something

leans more toward generating an original solution through deep thought

Antonyms

to ignore

∞ 1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

to overlook

243 2.9

To not notice someone or something you should see

How Deep

to excogitate

Formal

9.9

to ponder

134 4.3

to deliberate

43 4.4

to consider

∞ 1.1

to think

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

excogitate infinitive

excogitated past

excogitated past participle

excogitating present participle

excogitates third person singular

Morphology

excogitate = cogitate (semi-transparent) = ex + cogitate

If a learner knows 'cogitate', they may infer 'think out' or 'devise by thinking', but the learned Latinate prefix 'ex-' does not make the exact nuance fully obvious.

Etymology

Excogitate comes from the Latin parts ex- ('out') and cogitare ('to think'), giving the picture of pulling an idea 'out' of your mind. So, to excogitate is to think very carefully to find a new idea or solution.