to ponder

Examples

• All

• So you ask a question to understand them, and you listen deeply and you ponder what that could mean.

• Her remark made me ponder what she would consider to be music.

  Academic text (2015)

• This is a question I want you to ponder now.

• So slow down, sit with this, ponder it, figure out what this was about for you.

• I take it your friend here needs to ponder his future.

  North of the 10 (2022)

• So, I ask you to ponder this: Why did you become a librarian?

  Academic text (2012)

• I pondered this notion for years.

  Ageless Love (2022)

• Whenever teachers sit back and ponder the highlights of their lives, they often doze off.

  Academic text (1992)

• The Illinois Supreme Court had been pondering standards for digital filing since the early 1990s.

  Academic text (2011)

• She decided to ponder her next move carefully before making a decision.

Synonyms

T

to think

vsto ponder

∞ 1.0

To use your mind to consider something carefully

is narrower, stressing especially careful and prolonged thought

T

to think about

vsto ponder

∞ 1.0

To give attention to something in your mind

is specifically about prolonged and deeper mental focus

C

to consider

vsto ponder

∞ 1.1

To think carefully before making a decision

is more about inward prolonged study than simple evaluation

R

to reflect

vsto ponder

194 3.9

To think carefully about something before making a decision

is the same careful mental work but phrased more generally

C

to contemplate

vsto ponder

185 4.8

To think deeply about something for a long time

is comparable but used more broadly in everyday contexts

R

to reflect on

vsto ponder

154 4.0

To think carefully about something and what it means

is more about deep attention than active weighing

M

to meditate

vsto ponder

101 4.4

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

is more general deep thought without calm or ritual focus

T

to think over

vsto ponder

70 3.0

To look at something carefully before deciding

leans more toward sustained depth rather than a decision process

C

to chew on

vsto ponder

• Informal

61 3.9

To think carefully about something for a while before deciding

is deeper and often longer than a brief mental hold

D

to deliberate

vsto ponder

50 4.4

To think about something very carefully before deciding

is more about solitary deep thinking than group discussion

M

to mull

vsto ponder

40 4.7

Think carefully for a long time before making a decision

focuses more on lasting deep attention than decision alone

T

to think it through

vsto ponder

• Informal

37 3.2

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

emphasizes prolonged deep thinking rather than checking every outcome

M

to muse

vsto ponder

33 6.1

To think about something carefully for a long time

is similar depth but not necessarily calm or gentle in mood

M

to mull over

vsto ponder

24 4.0

To think carefully about something before deciding

is more general deep thought not only decision weighing

R

to ruminate

vsto ponder

12 7.6

To think carefully about something for a long time

is similar but slightly more neutral in use

S

to study

vsto ponder

10 7.3

To think quietly and deeply about life or ideas

shares depth but is not limited to spiritual purposes

C

to chew over

vsto ponder

• Informal

5 4.1

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

matches depth but may not involve discussion

C

to cogitate

vsto ponder

• Formal

3 8.5

To think carefully and deeply about something

is similar but often used in more everyday wording

P

to ponder over

vsto ponder

3 4.1

To think carefully about something for a long time

is the same prolonged careful mental attention as the key

E

to excogitate

vsto ponder

• Formal

1 9.9

To think very carefully to find a new idea or solution

is more about slow deep thinking than active invention

G

to gather one's thoughts

vsto ponder

4.4

Pause and think clearly before you speak or decide

is broader long thought rather than a short organisational pause

Antonyms

I

to ignore

∞ 1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

D

to dismiss

296 3.0

To refuse to accept an idea or claim

Phrasal Verbs

P

to ponder over

3 4.1

To think carefully about something for a long time

How Deep

to ruminate

12 7.6

to contemplate

185 4.8

to ponder

128 4.3

to consider

∞ 1.1

to think

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology