contemplate
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to look at or view with continued attention; observe or study thoughtfully.
to contemplate the stars.
-
to consider thoroughly; think fully or deeply about.
to contemplate a difficult problem.
-
to have as a purpose; intend.
The District Attorney's office does not contemplate any charges.
-
to have in view as a future event.
to contemplate buying a new car.
verb (used without object)
verb
-
to think about intently and at length; consider calmly
-
(intr) to think intently and at length, esp for spiritual reasons; meditate
-
to look at thoughtfully; observe pensively
-
to have in mind as a possibility
to contemplate changing jobs
Other Word Forms
- contemplator noun
- precontemplate verb
- recontemplate verb
- uncontemplated adjective
Etymology
Origin of contemplate
First recorded in 1585–95; from Latin contemplātus, past participle of contemplāre, contemplārī “to survey, observe,” equivalent to con- “with, together” + templ(um) “space marked off for augural observation” + -ātus past participle suffix; con-, temple 1, -ate 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“I recognize my suggestions are hard for many to contemplate and may be even viewed as overly harsh by some.”
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2026
When I contemplate it, I think about the mothers at my son’s preschool, people I work with, wealthier friends, and wonder if they would find requests for money to be cringe.
From Slate • Feb. 19, 2026
Treasury bonds edged higher early Monday, blunting gains for stocks and weighing on the dollar, as traders and investors contemplate a host of pressures that could test the market’s recent calm over the coming weeks.
From Barron's • Feb. 9, 2026
Tech titans like Salesforce have been facing market pressure for months as shareholders contemplate this question.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 3, 2026
How could he even contemplate being with her again?
From "The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
