MEDITATE Synonyms: 84 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'meditate' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of meditate are muse , ponder , and ruminate . While all these words mean "to consider or examine attentively or deliberately," meditate implies a definite focusing of one's thoughts on something so as to understand it deeply. // meditated on the meaning of life

Q: When can 'muse' be used instead of 'meditate'?

The meanings of muse and meditate largely overlap; however, muse suggests a more or less focused daydreaming as in remembrance. // mused upon childhood joys

Q: Where would 'ponder' be a reasonable alternative to 'meditate'?

The words ponder and meditate can be used in similar contexts, but ponder implies a careful weighing of a problem or, often, prolonged inconclusive thinking about a matter. // pondered the course of action

Q: When is 'ruminate' a more appropriate choice than 'meditate'?

In some situations, the words ruminate and meditate are roughly equivalent. However, 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

meditate

verb

ˈme-də-ˌtāt

Definition of meditate

as in to contemplate

to give serious and careful thought to I've been meditating a career change for months

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to intend

to have in mind as a purpose or goal had meditated a quick return to work after having the baby, but circumstances changed

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word meditate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of meditate are muse, ponder, and ruminate. While all these words mean "to consider or examine attentively or deliberately," meditate implies a definite focusing of one's thoughts on something so as to understand it deeply.

meditated on the meaning of life

When can muse be used instead of meditate?

The meanings of muse and meditate largely overlap; however, muse suggests a more or less focused daydreaming as in remembrance.

mused upon childhood joys

Where would ponder be a reasonable alternative to meditate?

The words ponder and meditate can be used in similar contexts, but ponder implies a careful weighing of a problem or, often, prolonged inconclusive thinking about a matter.

pondered the course of action

When is ruminate a more appropriate choice than meditate?

In some situations, the words ruminate and meditate are roughly equivalent. However, 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

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 meditate Drewchin might once have used her songs to meditate on meaning, to stare at the sky for answers, but Heavenly Body is a document of a time when those existential concerns took a backseat to the urgency of the physical changes in her life. — Colin Joyce, Pitchfork, 20 July 2026 If your kid isn’t into meditating on a particular day, that’s fine. — Samantha Mann, Parents, 17 July 2026 So many of the characters themselves are in a state of reflection, meditating on the wide swaths of time that are behind them. — Sky Davis, Christian Science Monitor, 13 July 2026 And there is a quiet room where the boys can meditate, relax, or read. — Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for meditate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for meditate

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

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

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

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

Even near the end of an August in which the Jays went 17-11, the team posted a near-average wRC+ (101 entering Sunday).

— Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
In fact, the breakeven rate of employment growth, or the number of net new jobs needed each month to keep the unemployment rate steady, actually went slightly negative during the summer and fall of 2025.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of go

Verb

The battery can be removed from beneath the seat, which means riders don't necessarily have to park the entire motorcycle beside an electrical outlet and hope the extension cord is long enough.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026
The challenges also come as Democrats hope to take control of at least one of the chambers of Congress in November’s midterm elections.

— Margie Cullen, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of hope

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mediocrity

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meditated

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

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Synonyms of meditate

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