ponder

[pon-der]

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.

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

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1. reflect, cogitate, deliberate, ruminate.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for pondered

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

Examples from the Web for pondered

Contemporary Examples of pondered

Strange as it may seem, I first pondered this question in the airport concourse at Seattle.
Beer Countries vs. Wine Countries
Clive Irving
December 7, 2014
The deep truths resonated within my heart and soul, illuminating questions I had pondered over the years.
When Gary Wright Met George Harrison: Dream Weaver, John and Yoko, and More
Gary Wright
September 29, 2014
Brother Patrick became weaker and weaker and others stop coming around as they pondered over their own status.
How Bureaucrats Let Ebola Spread to Nigeria
Michael Daly
August 14, 2014
Hell, James left the entire league in a holding pattern whilst he pondered his future, Hamlet-like.
LeBron James Returns to Cleveland: How 'The Decision 2.0' Happened
Robert Silverman
July 11, 2014
Talmudic sages for generations have pondered this profound question.
Mel Brooks Is Always Funny and Often Wise in This 1975 Playboy Interview
Alex Belth
February 16, 2014

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.
Camps, Quarters and Casual Places
Archibald Forbes

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

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.