contemplate

contemplate — verb

1. to think about something in a serious, quiet way without rushing, especially whe

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveB2
Definition

to think about something in a serious, quiet way without rushing, especially when a difficult decision lies ahead — for instance, weighing the pros and cons of changing jobs or of ending a long relationship.

Example

Rafael spent the whole weekend contemplating whether to accept the job offer in Tokyo.

contemplate + whether + to-infinitive

Amani sat by the window, contemplating the poem she had just finished.

Common collocations
  • contemplate the future
  • contemplate one's options
  • contemplate the meaning of life
  • sit and contemplate
  • contemplate in silence
Synonyms
  • ponder

    suggests slow, careful thought, often about philosophical or abstract matters; slightly more literary

  • meditate

    implies sustained inward reflection, sometimes with a spiritual or relaxation purpose

  • consider

    more neutral and less intense; the most common everyday alternative

Antonyms
  • dismiss

    to stop thinking about something without giving it proper attention

  • ignore

    to deliberately avoid thinking about something

Grammar Patterns

contemplate + noun/gerund

contemplate + whether/if + clause

contemplate (no object)

Usage Note

More intense and longer-lasting than 'think' or 'consider'. The object is often a life decision (career change, relationship, financial choice) or an abstract topic (meaning of life, nature of truth). Frequently followed by a gerund or a wh-clause.

Common Mistakes

I contemplated to move abroad.
I contemplated moving abroad.
After 'contemplate', use a gerund (-ing form), not a to-infinitive.

2. to think about something as something that could genuinely happen, or to accept

2.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to think about something as something that could genuinely happen, or to accept that it might be necessary — for example, a company contemplating lay-offs or a family contemplating a move overseas.

Example

The company is contemplating a merger with a smaller European competitor.

contemplate + noun (merger)

Building a new hospital wing was contemplated but the government could not fund it.

passive: was contemplated

Common collocations
  • contemplate a change
  • contemplate divorce
  • contemplate a move
  • contemplate drastic measures
  • contemplate the possibility of
Synonyms
  • consider

    more common and less formal; 'contemplate' implies more careful thought about the possibility

  • entertain

    less committed — to entertain an idea is to let yourself think about it without necessarily deciding

  • envisage

    focuses on picturing the scenario in your mind; 'contemplate' adds the element of thoughtful evaluation

Antonyms
  • reject

    to refuse to accept a possibility outright

  • dismiss

    to push a possibility aside without serious thought

Grammar Patterns

contemplate + noun (action/event)

be contemplated + as + noun

contemplate + gerund

Usage Note

Subject is typically a person, a group (committee, board, family), or an organization. Often used in formal or business English. The passive form ('X was contemplated') is common when emphasizing the plan rather than who considered it.

Common Mistakes

He is contemplating to retire early.
He is contemplating retiring early.
Like sense 1, this sense takes a gerund, not a to-infinitive.

3. to look at someone or something steadily and at length in a quiet, concentrated

3.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to look at someone or something steadily and at length in a quiet, concentrated way, letting your mind fill with what you see — for instance, standing at a cliff edge and taking in the landscape below.

Example

Minh stood at the edge of the canyon, quietly contemplating the view below.

contemplate + view/landscape

Eliska contemplated her reflection in the still water of the lake for a long time.

Common collocations
  • contemplate the view
  • contemplate the stars
  • contemplate one's reflection
  • contemplate a painting
  • contemplate the scenery
Synonyms
  • gaze

    to look steadily at something, often with wonder or admiration; does not necessarily imply deep thinking

  • study

    to look at something closely in order to understand it; more active and analytical

  • observe

    to watch carefully, often to gather information; less emotional or reflective than 'contemplate'

Antonyms
  • glimpse

    to see something very briefly, the opposite of a long, careful look

  • ignore

    to deliberately not look at something

Grammar Patterns

contemplate + noun (view/scene/person)

Usage Note

Primarily used in descriptive or literary contexts. The object is typically a visually interesting scene, artwork, object, or person. Unlike 'look at' or 'watch', this sense implies that the looking is slow and accompanied by inner reflection.

Common Mistakes

I contemplated at the painting for a few seconds.
I contemplated the painting for a few minutes.
This sense is transitive: the object of looking comes directly after the verb, without a preposition.

Word family

  • contemplation
    nounC1
  • contemplative
    adjectiveC1
  • contemplatively
    adverbC2
  • contemplator
    nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words involve thinking, but they differ in depth and duration. 'Consider' is the most neutral and everyday — you consider a menu choice or a friend's advice, often briefly. 'Contemplate' is more intense: it implies sitting with a question for a while, turning it over in a serious, quiet way. 'Ponder' is similar but feels slightly more literary or philosophical; you ponder a mystery or a paradox. 'Meditate' suggests a sustained, inward focus, sometimes with a spiritual aim, like meditating on kindness or forgiveness. 'Reflect' is closer to 'contemplate' but often involves looking back — reflecting on past experiences. In daily conversation, 'consider' fits most situations; 'contemplate' is best for weighty, slow decisions, and 'meditate' for deliberate mental exercises.

pondermeditate ↗consider ↗reflect ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • contemplate the future
  • contemplate a change
  • contemplate a possibility
  • contemplate a move
  • contemplate the view

Adverbs

  • seriously contemplate
  • quietly contemplate
  • briefly contemplate
  • calmly contemplate

Phrases

  • contemplate the idea of
  • contemplate the possibility of
  • sit and contemplate
  • contemplate one's navel

Etymology

LatinEnglish

From Latin 'contemplatus', the past participle of 'contemplari', meaning 'to look at carefully, to observe, to consider'. The word was formed from 'com-' (with, together) + 'templum' (a space for observation, especially a temple). The original sense was literally about looking at a designated area of sky for augury (predicting the future by observing birds). By the time the word entered English in the 1500s, it had already developed the more general meaning of careful observation and deep thought.