contemplating

[kon-tuhm-pley-ting, -tem-]

adjective

1. observing, studying, or thinking deeply about something.

   A stronger spirit and sense of purpose help shift the contemplating mind into a more action-orientated self.

noun

1. the act of observing, studying, or thinking deeply about something.

   After some more contemplating over the last few days, I now know what I'm going to do.

Other Word Forms

• contemplatingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of contemplating¹

First recorded in 1580–90; contemplat(e) ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective; contemplat(e) ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun

Example Sentences

Cooper acknowledges his fierce commitment to his work with a smile that says guilty as charged, before contemplating his perfectionism.

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The Sibylline team reckons Beijing is contemplating the blockade or quarantine of Taiwan before 2027 to choke U.S. chip access and secure its own AI supremacy.

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According to government disclosures and outside reporting, the administration is contemplating two major changes to disability standards, which it describes generally as “improvements to the disability adjudication process.”

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Jay Rogers, the CEO of a family office contemplating a business partnership with Aspiration, recalled sitting up at the mention of Ballmer’s name.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He doesn’t have a CD player, so last week he was contemplating organizing a giveaway for his TikTok followers.

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Related Words

• attentive 
• discerning 
• discriminating 
• intelligent 
• mindful 
• perceptive 
• vigilant