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.

Should they decide to give O'Neill the option, let's ponder one final question.

From BBC • May 23, 2026

Crude futures lost ground but settled above the day’s lows as traders ponder the likelihood that the latest efforts toward U.S.-Iran talks will end in a peace agreement.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

Graham may have finally assumed her rightful place in the newspaper-movie canon, but we’re still left to ponder her absence from the most iconic journalism movie of the 20th century.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

Joseph Adinolfi and Christine Idzelis shared six charts for investors to keep an eye on as they ponder where the stock market is headed from here.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 17, 2026

And he would fall silent, and ponder, hour by hour, always watching the sea ahead of the boat’s way.

From "A Wizard of Earthsea" by Ursula K. Le Guin

Vocabulary lists containing ponder

Essential Academic Vocabulary for High School Students, List 2

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

"The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe

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"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Chapters 12–15

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