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definitions

ponder

[pon-der]
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR ponder ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object)

to consider something deeply and thoroughly; meditate (often followed by over or upon).

verb (used with object)

to weigh carefully in the mind; consider thoughtfully: He pondered his next words thoroughly.

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RELATED WORDS

consider, mull, contemplate, evaluate, deliberate, reflect, examine, weigh, speculate, brood, cerebrate, figure, daydream, debate, study, mind, moon, muse, excogitate, revolve

Origin of ponder

1300–50; Middle English pondren < Middle French ponderer < Latin ponderāre to ponder, weigh; akin to pendēre to be suspended, hang (see pend)
Related formspon·der·er, nounre·pon·der, verb (used without object)un·pon·dered, adjectivewell-pon·dered, adjective

Synonyms for ponder

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR ponder ON THESAURUS.COM
1. reflect, cogitate, deliberate, ruminate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for pondered

Contemporary Examples of pondered

Historical Examples of pondered

  • We are, on the contrary, fumbling and wallowing about where the Greek pondered and philosophized.

    'Tis Sixty Years Since

    Charles Francis Adams

  • He studied Hope's beauty with his eyes, he pondered on all her nobleness.

    Malbone

    Thomas Wentworth Higginson

  • Sir Nigel pondered for a few moments, and then burst out a-laughing.

    The White Company

    Arthur Conan Doyle

  • He pondered it on his way back to the street-car, as he struggled against the wind.

    K

    Mary Roberts Rinehart

  • As he pondered, riding slowly homeward, a thought occurred to him.

British Dictionary definitions for pondered

ponder

verb

(when intr, sometimes foll by on or over) to give thorough or deep consideration (to); meditate (upon)

Word Origin for ponder

C14: from Old French ponderer, from Latin ponderāre to weigh, consider, from pondus weight; related to pendere to weigh
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for pondered

ponder

v.

early 14c., "to estimate the worth of, to appraise," from Old French ponderer "to weigh, poise" (14c., Modern French pondérer) and directly from Latin ponderare "ponder, consider, reflect," literally "to weigh," from pondus (genitive ponderis) "weigh" (see pound (n.1)). Meaning "to weigh a matter mentally" is attested from late 14c. Related: Pondered; pondering; ponderation.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper