contemplating

American

[kon-tuhm-pley-ting, -tem-] / ˈkɒn təmˌpleɪ tɪŋ, -tɛm- /

adjective

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

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

Etymology

Origin of contemplating

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Increasingly economists are contemplating a scenario where the central bank makes no change to rates.

From Barron's • May 10, 2026

Edmond de Rothschild said it isn’t contemplating a merger or sale.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

Amid the ongoing preparation for the trial, some sources have alleged that Lively and Reynolds, 49, are contemplating a move overseas in a bid to escape the fallout from the actress’s feud with Baldoni.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026

Stafford is at the far end of his career, Jimmy Garoppolo is a free agent contemplating retirement, and fourth-year pro Stetson Bennett has not played in a regular season game.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

Camilla had given us a key, which we didn’t want to use unless we had to, but just as we were contemplating it the bolt snapped and Charles squinted at us through the crack.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023