ponder
verb (used without object)
to consider something deeply and thoroughly; meditate (often followed by over or upon ).
pondered
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past participleof ponder.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
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past tense formof ponder.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
ponderverb (used without object)to consider something deeply and thoroughly; meditate (often followed by over or upon ).
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.
In a July 2025 text chain, an agent pondered whether facial recognition tools could be used to identify people on TikTok who admitted to being in the country illegally.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026
They all pondered what the items revealed about two people who dominated politics here for so long.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 12, 2026
Lewis admitted some of the witness stories were compelling and "would have an effect" on him as he pondered them before his rational self took over.
From BBC ● Apr. 3, 2026
The question that Barclays analyst Dan Levy pondered on Tuesday was, of course, why?
From Barron's ● Feb. 17, 2026
When an adult member of the community applied for a spouse, the committee pondered for months, sometimes even years, making the selection, matching the characteristics—energy level, intelligence, industriousness, other traits—that would make two people compatible.
From "Son" by Lois Lowry
