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.
In one study, people who traveled on a short weekend break ruminated less about work concerns than people who spent a similar break at home.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 14, 2026
In his late 60s, on a show called “Legally Speaking,” Morantz ruminated about his battle with Synanon and all it had cost him.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 29, 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
In the six decades since, Lawrence Wright has ruminated often on his old hometown and how it’s different than it used to be.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 21, 2023
He pored over “Old Waldo” Emerson and ruminated on the philosopher’s essay on “Compensation.”
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
