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

“Once upon a midnight dreary, / while I pondered, weak and weary . . . .” Thus begins the most celebrated spooky poem by the most celebrated of spooky 19th-century American writers.

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But soon we are racing from our seats to the kitchen and back, pondering not only ingredients but family gossip.

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But others ponder just how British it is to curb repeated protests - the plan Mahmood now plans to legislate for.

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And now he’s the team’s first general manager in two decades who has been forced to ponder a future without Anze Kopitar.

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Foreman said he pondered that and quickly realized that, yes indeed, it was.

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Related Words

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