CONTEMPLATE Synonyms: 84 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'contemplate' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of contemplate are consider , study , and weigh . While all these words mean "to think about in order to arrive at a judgment or decision," contemplate stresses focusing one's thoughts on something but does not imply coming to a conclusion or decision. // contemplate the consequences of refusing

Q: When would 'consider' be a good substitute for 'contemplate'?

The words consider and contemplate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, consider may suggest giving thought to in order to reach a suitable conclusion, opinion, or decision. // refused even to consider my proposal

Q: When might 'study' be a better fit than 'contemplate'?

While in some cases nearly identical to contemplate , study implies sustained purposeful concentration and attention to details and minutiae. // study the plan closely

Q: When is it sensible to use 'weigh' instead of 'contemplate'?

The words weigh and contemplate can be used in similar contexts, but 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

contemplate

verb

ˈkän-təm-ˌplāt

Definition of contemplate

as in to ponder

to give serious and careful thought to she contemplated the problem for several hours before reaching a decision

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to intend

to have in mind as a purpose or goal he waited patiently, contemplating revenge all the while

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb contemplate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of contemplate are consider, study, and weigh. While all these words mean "to think about in order to arrive at a judgment or decision," 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 consider be a good substitute for contemplate?

The words consider and contemplate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, consider may suggest giving thought to in order to reach a suitable conclusion, opinion, or decision.

refused even to consider my proposal

When might study be a better fit than contemplate?

While in some cases nearly identical to contemplate, study implies sustained purposeful concentration and attention to details and minutiae.

study the plan closely

When is it sensible to use weigh instead of contemplate?

The words weigh and contemplate can be used in similar contexts, but 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 contemplate The central bank, meanwhile, is contemplating raising interest rates later this year, potentially issuing its first hike since 2023. — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 Other projects represent the scale and diversity of development already contemplated in the county including Bickford Ranch, North Auburn Campus, Placer Ranch, and Placer Vineyards. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 2026 Earlier, writer-director Lanctôt won two prizes at Venice in 1984 for her first feature, Sonatine, about two teenage girls contemplating suicide. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 24 Aug. 2026 State funding for Royals stadium The city’s agreements with the Royals contemplate roughly $540 million in state support for the stadium project as well. — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contemplate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemplate

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

Sebastian Kim, head of the content business Unit at CJ ENM, said the series had opened a door the company intends to keep pushing through.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 Aug. 2026
The city of Norman sought new funding from the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office to continue A Better Way, a project intended as an alternative to panhandling.

— Jake Ramsey, Oklahoma Watch, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of intend

Verb

In the early ‘60s, the Tower Theater’s films entertained Cuban refugees and introduced them to American culture, making the theater a cultural cornerstone for the local Cuban community.

— Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
My job is to give people joy and entertain them and take them away from, frankly, at the moment, some of the misery of life, where they can get lost in the live gig for two hours.

— Katie Bain, Billboard, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of entertain

Verb

Meanwhile, outside the five districts that Democrats hope to switch, there are safely Democratic districts where progressive candidates are jousting with mainstream rivals, a subset of the national party’s ideological conflict.

— Dan Walters, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
By doing the bees' job, Carcache and Bloom hope to figure out whether the plants around the parasite are pollinated more than those further away.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of hope

Verb

In their discussions, economists and policymakers debated the regulatory challenges in a world where tokenization is revolutionizing how financial assets are held and transferred.

— Maria Eloisa Capurro, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
Researchers have debated for years whether these dendrites begin at the electrolyte’s surface or deeper inside the material.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of debate

Verb

Sure, pedicures get more playtime over the summer, but that doesn’t mean your toes don’t deserve the same attention once temperatures drop.

— Marianne Mychaskiw, Allure, 1 Sep. 2026
Max leaves less than three hours before the new charter’s arrival, which means that Sandy is immediately on the phone with Norma from Yachting Staffing.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of mean

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contemns

contemplate

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“Contemplate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemplate. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of contemplate

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