ponder

verb

pon·​der ˈpän-dər How to pronounce ponder (audio)
pondered; pondering ˈpän-d(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce ponder (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to weigh in the mind : appraise
pondered their chances of success
2
: to think about : reflect on
pondered the events of the day

intransitive verb

: to think or consider especially quietly, soberly, and deeply
ponderer noun
Choose the Right Synonym for ponder

ponder, meditate, muse, ruminate mean to consider or examine attentively or deliberately.

ponder implies a careful weighing of a problem or, often, prolonged inconclusive thinking about a matter.

pondered the course of action

meditate implies a definite focusing of one's thoughts on something so as to understand it deeply.

meditated on the meaning of life

muse suggests a more or less focused daydreaming as in remembrance.

mused upon childhood joys

ruminate implies going over the same matter in one's thoughts again and again but suggests little of either purposive thinking or rapt absorption.

ruminated on past disappointments

Examples of ponder in a Sentence

He pondered the question before he answered. The team pondered their chances of success. We pondered whether we could afford the trip.
Recent Examples on the Web This leaves a number of pressing questions unanswered when the two women’s lives finally intersect — questions Jen claims to have pondered as a child. Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 18 Mar. 2024 So ponder California’s best five years for these major purchases since 2009, as defined by yearly percentage gains in sales, and how the economy performed. Jonathan Lansner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ponder 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ponder.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French ponderer, from Latin ponderare to weigh, ponder, from ponder-, pondus weight — more at pendant

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ponder was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near ponder

Cite this Entry

“Ponder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ponder. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

ponder

verb
pon·​der ˈpän-dər How to pronounce ponder (audio)
pondered; pondering -d(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce ponder (audio)
: to consider carefully
ponderer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on ponder

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