WordValeponder
to think about carefully
In more detail
1. (verb) to think carefully about something for a period of time
2. (verb) to think about something in a worried or confused way
Examples
- 1. She pondered the difficult question for several minutes before answering.
- 2. He sat alone, pondering what to do about the situation.
How to use ponder
Ponder suggests more sustained, serious thought than simply thinking about something, often implying uncertainty or philosophical reflection. It is slightly formal or literary in tone and frequently used when someone is weighing difficult questions or possibilities. The word conveys a sense of pausing to think carefully rather than arriving at quick decisions.
Common phrases
- ponder a question
- ponder the meaning
- ponder over something
- ponder deeply
- sit and ponder
Synonyms
contemplate · consider · reflect on · muse · deliberate
Word family
ponderable · pondering
A common mistake
Learners sometimes use ponder with an object that is too simple or trivial (e.g., 'I pondered what to have for lunch'), when the word typically applies to weightier or more abstract matters.
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