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 next

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

Synonym Chooser

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

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Recent Examples of meditate Besides the comedy, Shaun the Sheep Movie also meditates on urban alienation, and the lonely anonymity that’s part and parcel of moving through a metropolis. —

Vikram Murthi, Vulture, 3 Jan. 2025 With Lynch’s advocacy, hundreds of thousands of children learned to meditate. —

Claire Hoffman, Rolling Stone, 18 Jan. 2025 The five men were meditating off a trail near Skull Rock in the hills above Pacific Palisades on the morning of Jan. 7. —

Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2025 For almost three decades, thousands of Buddhists have peacefully meditated at their religious haven in Weston. —

Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for meditate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for meditate

Verb

One mother of a fifth and a sixth grader, all TPS holders, contemplated not going to work Wednesday morning at the warehouse of an international clothing company.

— Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2025
Neither Egypt nor Jordan would contemplate being party to a repeat of the Palestinian ‘Nakba’ or ‘catastrophe’ in 1948.

— Tim Lister, CNN, 28 Jan. 2025