ponder

[ pon-der ]

verb (used without object)

1. to consider something deeply and thoroughly; meditate (often followed by over or upon ).

   Synonyms: ruminate, deliberate, cogitate, reflect

verb (used with object)

1. to weigh carefully in the mind; consider thoughtfully:

   He pondered his next words thoroughly.

ponder

/ ˈpɒndə /

verb

1. whenintr, sometimes foll by on or over to give thorough or deep consideration (to); meditate (upon)

Other Words From

• ponder·er noun
• re·ponder verb (used without object)
• un·pondered adjective
• well-pondered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ponder¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English pondren, from Middle French ponderer, from Latin ponderāre “to weigh, reflect on,” derivative of pondus “weight”; akin to pendēre “to be suspended, hang” ( pend )

Word History and Origins

Origin of ponder¹

C14: from Old French ponderer, from Latin ponderāre to weigh, consider, from pondus weight; related to pendere to weigh

Example Sentences

Subscribing to MERS gives all of those parties immediate digital access to the profiles of loans they have originated, are servicing, or are pondering buying.

From Fortune

Scientists have pondered how long energy-starved seafloor microbes might survive.

From Science News For Students

The previous week, researchers pondered whether another highly unusual set of circumstances might be in the offing.

From Science News

Scientists have pondered how long energy-starved microbes might survive within the seafloor.

From Science News

Angela and Stephen ponder why we haven’t collectively learned to deal with the stress that comes from uncertainty.

From Freakonomics

He said he uses the quiet time at night to ponder a move to Puerto Rico or maybe Hawaii.

From The Daily Beast

I constantly ponder the true danger of racism, which I always state as most basically: the inability to be an individual.

From The Daily Beast

Now that we have gotten over these multifarious horribles, we are obliged to ponder the bigger picture.

From The Daily Beast

Finally, ponder exactly how Maher will make his final choice of congresscritter.

From The Daily Beast

Gone are the working-man dive bars where Joyce would binge drink and ponder his literary hardship.

From The Daily Beast

Lady Engleton seemed to ponder somewhat seriously, as she stood looking down at the grave beside her.

From Project Gutenberg

We may imagine that she has had time to ponder those cynical maxims of Bellapert on the natural course of romance.

From Project Gutenberg

I will first ponder over this difficult matter, and thereafter give thee an answer.

From Project Gutenberg

But a man cannot afford to ponder such problems in feminine psychology too closely if he has anything else to do!

From Project Gutenberg

Ponder well on this circumstance, and you will know how to appreciate the exaggerated language they address to you.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• consider
• contemplate
• deliberate
• evaluate
• examine
• mull
• mull over
• puzzle over
• reflect
• speculate
• weigh