Meaning & use

ponder

verb·Academic

To think about something carefully and for a long time before reaching a conclusion.

See it in a sentence

She sat by the window, pondering whether to accept the job offer abroad.

The committee pondered the proposal for weeks before finally rejecting it.

A note on using this word

Ponder suggests slow, careful reflection, often in silence, rather than quick or casual thought.

Words with a similar meaning

contemplatedeliberatemull over

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

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