ponder
verb (used without object)
to consider something deeply and thoroughly; meditate (often followed by over or upon ).
had been pondering
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past perfect progressiveof ponder.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
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.
The discussion helped crystallize a broader idea Dimon had been pondering about JPMorgan’s role in national defense—and about his own legacy—people familiar with the matter said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026
Myers said that during Shabbat — the Jewish Sabbath, a time he does not use electronics — he had been pondering the issue.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2025
She had been pondering a marriage between the musical and a gamemaker, eventually turning for advice to Edelman, her brother, who knew the perfect platform.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 9, 2023
She had been pondering the dismaying rise in coronavirus infections globally during the previous three weeks, a reversal of promising trends in late spring.
From Washington Post ● Jul. 17, 2021
Conant had been pondering for some time how to move Harvard into the forefront of experimental and theoretical physics.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
