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
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
To see why, contemplate a recent Wall Street Journal headline concerning Meta.
—
John Tamny, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Google had contemplated deals with Android phone makers such as Samsung that would provide exclusivity for not only its search app, but also for its Gemini AI app and Chrome browser, according to a document shown at trial.
—Jody Godoy, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Invision The longtime head of CBS' 60 Minutes resigned Tuesday, as the network's parent company contemplates a settlement with President Trump over his lawsuit focusing on an interview the show did with then-Vice President Kamala Harris last fall.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 22 Apr. 2025
This scenario contemplates Hall of Famer Deion Sanders languishing in the green room as his son, Shedeur, Colorado’s former quarterback, is left waiting far longer than many people have predicted to hear his name called.
—Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contemplate
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John Tamny, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Google had contemplated deals with Android phone makers such as Samsung that would provide exclusivity for not only its search app, but also for its Gemini AI app and Chrome browser, according to a document shown at trial.
—Jody Godoy, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Invision The longtime head of CBS' 60 Minutes resigned Tuesday, as the network's parent company contemplates a settlement with President Trump over his lawsuit focusing on an interview the show did with then-Vice President Kamala Harris last fall.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 22 Apr. 2025
This scenario contemplates Hall of Famer Deion Sanders languishing in the green room as his son, Shedeur, Colorado’s former quarterback, is left waiting far longer than many people have predicted to hear his name called.
—Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contemplate
Cite this Entry
“Contemplate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contemplate. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.
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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