COGITATING Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

cogitating

verb

present participle of cogitate

as in pondering

to give serious and careful thought to by the time he finishes cogitating what to do with his life, it'll be almost over

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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 cogitating Instead of accelerating the singular, the company’s leadership is doing like Isaacson and cogitating in logic. — Big Think, 3 Nov. 2025 What made those songs work, and these, is the sound of Byrne’s mind cogitating inside them. — Will Hermes, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cogitating

Verb

Newsom, who is pondering a 2028 presidential campaign, and the two men vying to replace him — Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton — oppose it.

— Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
In the stands, fans murmured beneath their breath, wondering what new math the Kiffin’s successor could be pondering.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of pondering

Verb

The offer came at a time when Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and many other public school districts in Florida, have closed or consolidated schools and are contemplating even more closures.

— Austin Horn, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026
Players sitting on the fence contemplating whether or not to commit to LIV Golf's future will be allowed to sit a bit longer.

— Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of contemplating

Verb

Kedia wasn’t surprised by the unanimous interest rate decision because the FOMC had been debating higher interest rates for months.

— Taylor Millard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2026
While the two candidates were technically debating each other, the most prominent name onstage wasn’t there and isn’t on the ballot.

— Editorial Board, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of debating

Verb

Daines and Merkley also want committee leaders to have a one-day fast-track for considering popular bills with strong committee support from both parties that would allow those bills to pass the Senate with a simple majority.

— Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2026
If one or both don’t play, the Dolphins could pull off the upset, considering the Bengals ranks 31st in the league in rushing.

— Keven Lerner, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of considering

Verb

By studying what happens when these energetic particles collide with target materials, scientists can investigate the shapes and sizes of atomic nuclei.

— Andrea Richard, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2026
While making Sunrise on the Reaping in Spain, Zada and costar Mckenna Grace burned through the night rewatching the original Hunger Games films, studying every line and gesture.

— Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of studying

Verb

In an interview with CNBC Sport on September 10 in Australia, Commissioner Roger Goodell emphasized the league wants stronger protections before entertaining the possibility of a tie up with the new markets.

— Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
There’s at least one animal in Ben Affleck’s sixth featue as director, and that’s the elephant in the room — or lumbering around the Los Angeles locations — of this passably entertaining Netflix crime thriller.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of entertaining

Verb

Videos first obtained by ABC News showed that Cornell investigators in the following days began questioning witnesses about a potential coverup by the fraternity brothers.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
There was angst among fans about Suamataia being held from the game, followed by blowback for questioning coach Andy Reid’s decision.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of questioning

Verb

The city’s zoning administrator is now weighing whether to revoke the operator’s permit.

— Blanca Begert, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Beyond apprenticeships, the mayor’s childcare office is weighing opportunities for assistant teachers to become lead teachers, and partnerships with CUNY and other higher education institutions on more traditional models.

— Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of weighing

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cogitates

cogitating

cogitation

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“Cogitating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cogitating. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of cogitating

verb

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