contemplate
verb
con·tem·plate
ˈkän-təm-ˌplāt 
-ˌtem-
contemplated; contemplating
1
: to view or consider with continued attention : meditate on
contemplate the vastness of the universe
contemplated the meaning of the poem
2
: to view as likely or probable or as an end or intention
contemplate marriage
contemplated a move to Alaska
Synonyms
Examples of contemplate in a Sentence
He contemplated the meaning of the poem for a long time.
I'd like some time to just sit and contemplate.
She stood and quietly contemplated the scene that lay before her.
Recent Examples on the Web
Beyond this focus on his own family history, he’s contemplated his identity in other ways.
—
Sarah Matusek, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 July 2024
Officials had contemplated disassembling the station and recycling certain parts of it, as well as handing off operations of the ISS to a private company.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 July 2024
Days after the rapper’s arrest, the Los Angeles Police Commission contemplated whether the rapper’s race played a role in his arrest.
—Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2024
American labor law contemplates management and labor negotiating a CBA to address wages, hours and other working conditions.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 1 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for contemplate 
Sarah Matusek, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 July 2024
Officials had contemplated disassembling the station and recycling certain parts of it, as well as handing off operations of the ISS to a private company.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 July 2024
Days after the rapper’s arrest, the Los Angeles Police Commission contemplated whether the rapper’s race played a role in his arrest.
—Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2024
American labor law contemplates management and labor negotiating a CBA to address wages, hours and other working conditions.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 1 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for contemplate
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'contemplate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near contemplate
Cite this Entry
“Contemplate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contemplate. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
contemplate
verb
con·tem·plate
ˈkänt-əm-ˌplāt
ˈkän-ˌtem-
contemplated; contemplating
1
: to view or consider with careful and thoughtful attention
2
: to have in mind : plan on
contemplating a trip
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