ponder

American  

[pon-der] / ˈpɒn dər /

verb (used without object)

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

   Synonyms:

   ruminate, deliberate, cogitate, reflect

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verb (used with object)

1. to weigh carefully in the mind; consider thoughtfully.

   He pondered his next words thoroughly.

ponder British  

/ ˈpɒndə /

verb

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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of ponder

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 )

Example Sentences

It was a game that threw up dozens of cameos to ponder, not just the creation and execution of the Scotland tries but the bare-knuckle stuff they delivered in defence.

From BBC

Meanwhile, as life expectancy inches higher and financial stress grows, here are three big things to ponder:

From MarketWatch

Is there an urgent lesson in their story for us to ponder?

From Salon

Because when Weston was pondering his future, conversations were happening behind the scenes.

From BBC

I gave him a few minutes to ponder that thought.

From Literature

Related Words

• consider
• contemplate
• deliberate
• evaluate
• examine
• mull
• mull over
• puzzle over
• reflect
• speculate
• weigh