Ponder

/ˈpɒndər/

Meaning & Definition

verb

to think about something carefully, especially before making a decision

She pondered over the implications of the study before reaching a conclusion.

to consider something deeply and thoroughly

He sat quietly, pondering the meaning of life.

to weigh or balance in one's mind

They pondered the pros and cons of moving to a new city.

to reflect or meditate on a subject

After pondering the question for a while, she finally responded.

Middle English, from Latin ponderare 'to weigh'.

ponder over

To think carefully about something, often involving weighing options.

ponder aloud

To express thoughts in a spoken manner, considering options verbally.

ponder one's options

To think about the different choices available before making a decision.

contemplate

To look thoughtfully for a long time.

consider

To think carefully about something.

deliberate

To engage in long and careful consideration.

To think seriously about something.

I'm just pondering on whether to take that job offer.

To mull it over.

I'll ponder it for a bit before I give my answer.