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

"Imagine, if you could save 10% of the amount of fertilizer being used on that land," he pondered.

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Gen. Rob Bonta ponders a run for governor, he faces scrutiny for his ties to people central to a federal corruption investigation in Oakland and payments to private attorneys.

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And finally, they’ll be able to answer a question that Ivy League eggheads have been pondering for a century.

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The sky-high valuations of the Silicon Valley tech behemoth and other big players in the AI race have made investors ponder whether and when their bet on technology’s future will pay off.

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“My guess would be a gas release,” another pondered.

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Related Words

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