CONTEMPLATES Synonyms: 84 Similar and Opposite Words

contemplates

verb

present tense third-person singular of contemplate

as in ponders

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in intends

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

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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 contemplates The series contemplates topics like shady lending practices by financial institutions — something that will resonate deeply with today’s economy — and the ethics of placing oneself in a news story. — Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 The new agreement reportedly contemplates enormous amounts of private investment, but even supporters acknowledge that major increases in production could take years. — Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 Unrivaled, the 3×3 women’s professional basketball league, has completed an oversubscribed Series C fundraise at a value of $650 million, as the nearly three-year-old organization contemplates further geographic expansion. — Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 26 Aug. 2026 The pair move in together, as McConaughey contemplates a Texas gubernatorial run. — Shauna Lyon, New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2026 As humanity contemplates the potentially catastrophic effects of climate change, Sulej says the story of the Mastodonsaurus offers some hope. — ABC News, 22 July 2026 This week, Gracie Abrams pens a tearjerker on mother-daughter relationships, Steve Lacy escapes the abyss of a breakup on a colossal double track, and Beabadoobee contemplates risk and reward on a fuzzy new single. — Rolling Stone, 17 July 2026 The agreement contemplates beginning the design phase of the new stations while the arbitration is ongoing. — Joshua Ceballos, Miami Herald, 16 June 2026 It’s been a long time since Steven Spielberg directed a film as quintessentially Spielbergian as Disclosure Day, which contemplates how humankind might react to proof that extraterrestrial life exists. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemplates

Verb

While Tavares coach Gavin Jones ponders how to replace 18 transfer players heading into the season, just down Route 441, new Eustis coach Tanner Harris is pumping some energy into a program that has had four coaches in three years.

— Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2026
Vieira ponders the dilemma from his own perspective as a coach, having had spells in charge at New York City, Nice, Crystal Palace, Strasbourg and Genoa.

— Oliver Kay, New York Times, 15 June 2026

Definition of ponders

Verb

The campaign intends to hire a Jewish liaison and is in the midst of an interview process for the role, which includes talking with Jewish community leaders, a person familiar with the campaign told JTA.

— Andrew Lapin, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of intends

Verb

And regardless of whether General Motors plans on selling these to a wider audience or just a select few—or even just one person like Porsche did for Roger Penske—the task of dumbing down one of the world’s most advanced race cars is no small feat.

— Jerry Perez, The Drive, 3 Sep. 2026
The office plans to be on site Thursday to talk with residents.

— Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of plans

Verb

What Hasty built instead compares each coach against the specific opposing talent his players faced, which means a good coach with a bad roster finally looks different from a bad coach with a good one.

— Rhett Power, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
This means the raccoon is probably a mother using your home as a nesting site.

— Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of means

Verb

While his party debates abolishing prisons and owning grocery stores, Democratic Mayor Daniel Lurie is cleaning up his city.

— Kate Andrews, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2026
The show, which has been on air for 15 years, uses a roundtable format in which the panel debates politics, pop culture and other current events.

— Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of debates

Verb

Project Polymath, for instance — founded by Dan Futrell, former CEO of the Pat Tillman Foundation, which gives scholarships to military veterans — proposes to mentor bachelor's degree students beginning in 2028.

— Jon Marcus, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026
The article proposes storytelling as a vital solution, asserting its unique human quality inspires engagement and cannot be faked.

— Esther K. Choy, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of proposes

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contemplated

contemplates

contemplating

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“Contemplates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemplates. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of contemplates

verb

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