ruminate
verb (used without object)
to meditate or muse; ponder.
ruminated
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past participleof ruminate.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 ruminate.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
ruminateverb (used without object)to meditate or muse; ponder.
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.
“I wonder if the Ancient Mariner in his latter days got really tired of rehearsing his old trauma,” she ruminated in an essay.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 18, 2026
But he also said he ruminated on his legacy, fearing his family would see him as a “quitter.”
From Los Angeles Times ● May 9, 2024
However, when the reindeer ruminated, this slow-wave activity was decreased during subsequent sleep, and the more they ruminated, the more the slow-wave activity decreased.
From Science Daily ● Dec. 22, 2023
He also ruminated openly about her political future, privately boosting McCray for a potential campaign for Brooklyn borough president.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 5, 2023
"Job ought to be easy enough," he ruminated.
From "And Then There Were None" by Agatha Christie
