consider

verb

kən-ˈsi-dər How to pronounce consider (audio)
Definition of considernext
1
as in to regard
to think of in a particular way I consider him a very good friend

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to contemplate
to give serious and careful thought to carefully considering our options

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to think
to have as an opinion consider the price too high

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to anticipate
to give consideration to (as unexpected circumstances or contingencies) I had to consider the commute in deciding whether to take the job

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to admire
to think very highly or favorably of her well-considered novels have seldom been best sellers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb consider differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of consider are contemplate, study, and weigh. While all these words mean "to think about in order to arrive at a judgment or decision," consider may suggest giving thought to in order to reach a suitable conclusion, opinion, or decision.

refused even to consider my proposal

In what contexts can contemplate take the place of consider?

The synonyms contemplate and consider are sometimes interchangeable, but contemplate stresses focusing one's thoughts on something but does not imply coming to a conclusion or decision.

contemplate the consequences of refusing

When would study be a good substitute for consider?

The meanings of study and consider largely overlap; however, study implies sustained purposeful concentration and attention to details and minutiae.

study the plan closely

When could weigh be used to replace consider?

Although the words weigh and consider have much in common, weigh implies attempting to reach the truth or arrive at a decision by balancing conflicting claims or evidence.

weigh the pros and cons of the case

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of consider Izo 2 leads an armed group in that area on behalf of and in coordination with other gang leaders including Izo, considered one of Haiti's most powerful gang leaders. — Arkansas Online, 30 Aug. 2026 But any final result — whether before or after the upcoming fall elections — would hinge on the court’s six conservative justices, who have not yet considered the president’s policy on its merits. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 30 Aug. 2026 Across 1,300 transcripts, in only six did agents consider notifying humans — and then didn’t. — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 30 Aug. 2026 While this common jewelry mistake likely won’t lead to any major damage, it’s considered a bit of a fashion faux pas and could lead to the loss of a favorite piece. — Larissa Ratschkowski, Glamour, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for consider
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consider
  1. regard
  2. contemplate
  3. think
  4. anticipate
  5. admire
  6. call
  7. ponder
  8. believe
Verb
  • Additionally, the minutes featured a notable new expression regarding the impact of artificial intelligence.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Earlier this summer, speculation regarding Ariana Grande’s weight and body image reached a fever pitch after the singer announced her retreat from public life following the ending of her ongoing tour next week.
    — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of regard
Verb
  • Even in the midst of this global struggle, Roosevelt contemplated the future and envisioned the critical role that a new United Nations might play.
    — John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
  • But Williams — who is set to compete with her sister Serena Williams in the Open’s doubles tournament this week — wasn’t ready to contemplate what’s next for her career after that.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of contemplate
Verb
  • And think about Afghanistan as well, a huge military advantage there, but as US forces were finally being pulled out of there, the Taliban were once again taking control.
    — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Two workers at Germany's Frankfurt airport who caught malaria from a mosquito thought to have arrived on a plane have died, the city's health authority said this week.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of think
Verb
  • The arch will disturb the sightline between more landmarks than anticipated, the report said.
    — Matthew Daly, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Reliable, independent government reporting is an important part of the information infrastructure businesses use to understand labor supply, anticipate change and make workforce decisions.
    — Sheila Callaham, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of anticipate
Verb
  • The Athletic reported on Sunday that Unai Emery’s side had made an initial approach to sign the 22-year-old defender, having previously revealed that Ordonez was highly admired and had been tracked by Villa.
    — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • She was also widely admired for her philanthropy including her Imagination Library program, which has gifted more than 300 million books to children across the world over 31 years.
    — Joey Garrison, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of admire
Verb
  • Autumn Joy Stonecrop Also called autumn joy sedum, this hardy, summer- and fall-flowering perennial is known for its succulent foliage and dense clusters of tiny pink flowers.
    — Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The Cyberdyne Hybrid Assistive Limb, commonly called HAL, is a robotic exoskeleton designed to support patients during rehabilitation.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of call
Verb
  • Sierra College has three quarterbacks to ponder, and all will play early, Noonan said.
    — JOE DAVIDSON, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The question to ponder in sports today is whether speech functions as an act with a cost or as a renewable resource for an audience happy to waste time on slop.
    — Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of ponder
Verb
  • Flowers, who has been sidelined from practice in recent days, is believed to be dealing with a minor hamstring injury.
    — Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Lamas claimed that Jackie believed that there was a link between her husband’s death and that of Marilyn Monroe, who died in 1962.
    — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of believe

Browse Nearby Words

conserving
consider
considerable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Consider.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consider. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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