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Definitions

ponder

[pon-der] / ˈpɒn dər /
VERB
think about seriously
Synonyms
STRONGEST
consider contemplate deliberate evaluate examine mull mull over puzzle over reflect speculate weigh
STRONG
appraise brood cerebrate cogitate daydream debate dwell excogitate figure meditate mind moon muse reason revolve roll ruminate study woolgather
WEAK
build castles in air give thought to noodle around perpend pipe-dream put on thinking cap think out think over turn over
Antonyms
STRONGEST
discard disregard forget ignore neglect
STRONG
agree go along

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.

The author is remarkably good at finding an obscure statistic or fact that causes the reader to sit back and ponder.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

It is a nice quandary for Slegers to ponder before the first leg of an intriguing Champions League quarter-final against WSL rivals Chelsea on Tuesday.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

Meanwhile, as life expectancy inches higher and financial stress grows, here are three big things to ponder:

From MarketWatch • Feb. 13, 2026

Is there an urgent lesson in their story for us to ponder?

From Salon • Feb. 12, 2026

She promised to reply to each one at the earliest opportunity, although with an important speech to write and so many mysteries to ponder, who knew when that might be?

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood