ponder

[pon-der]

verb (used without object)

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

   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. to give thorough or deep consideration (to); meditate (upon)

Other Word Forms

• ponderer noun
• reponder verb (used without object)
• unpondered adjective
• well-pondered 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

He knows that plenty in his party, from the cabinet down, are privately pondering whether this could be his last Labour Party conference as prime minister.

From BBC

Yet it's clear from multiple conversations that it's not only mischief makers who are pondering what to do.

From BBC

As crowd control barricades began springing up and artist security personnel lingered outside the famed vinyl record shop, passersby and neighbors alike began to ponder what could be going on.

From Los Angeles Times

Basically, instead of pondering the future or thinking about the past, you pay attention to the moment, noticing what is going on inside and outside ourselves, letting our thoughts pass by without judgement.

From BBC

However, Eddie Howe's team were still left to ponder what might have been.

From BBC

Related Words

• consider 
• contemplate 
• deliberate 
• evaluate 
• examine 
• mull 
• mull over 
• puzzle over www.thesaurus.com
• reflect 
• speculate 
• weigh